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Contents

AcknowledgmentsIntroduction:WhoCanBenefitfromUsingThisBook?

Part1PhrasesforConversation

Chapter1SmallTalk

Openers:ExcuseMe…

TalkingAboutYourself

ShowingInterest

IntroducingYourself

BreakingtheIce

StayinginTouch

SayingGood-Bye

Dialogue:SmallWorld

TopicsforPractice

Chapter2PastExperiences

Openers:Greetings

MakingIntroductions

CatchingUp

PastExperiences

TransitionsandConnectors

DiscourseMarkers

EnjoymentandPleasure

ExpressingEmotions

EndingtheConversation

TimeExpressions

Dialogue:LongTimeNoSee

TopicsforPractice

Chapter3Likes,Dislikes,andInterests

Openers:FeelingThingsOut

Likes

Dislikes

Preferences

Interests

DesiresandDependency

Indifference

MakingOffers

DatesandInvitations

ExpressingEmotions

Compliments

Dialogue:What’sforDinner?

TopicsforPractice

Chapter4ObjectsandProcesses

Openers:TakeaLook!

DescribingObjects

PropertiesandFeatures

CostandEstimates

UseandAvailability

MakingComparisons

MakingContrasts

EvaluationsandJudgments

GivingInstructions

ExpressingEmotions

Dialogue:TheNewSmartphone

TopicsforPractice

Chapter5ProblemsandAdvice

Openers:What’sWrong?

StatingaProblem

AskingforHelporAdvice

IdentifyingtheCauseofaProblem

SympathyandUnderstanding

AdviceandAssistance

AppreciationandGratitude

MakingSomeoneAwareofaProblem

Complaints

Reassurances

ReluctanceandAvoidance

ExpressingEmotions

Dialogue:What’stheMatter?

TopicsforPractice

Chapter6DecisionsandGoals

Openers:WhatAreWeGoingtoDo?

OptionsandAlternatives

ReasonsandPurpose

AdvantagesandDisadvantages

MakingaDecision

IndecisionandHesitation

SettingSchedulesandDeadlines

GoalsandPlans

Encouragement,Recognition,andCongratulations

ExpressingEmotions

Dialogue:AToughDecision

TopicsforPractice

Part2PhrasesforDiscussions

Chapter7Opinions

Openers:AskingforanOpinion

StatinganOpinion

ValueJudgments

Generalizations

AgreeingandDisagreeing

SupportinganOpinion

FiguresandStatistics

MakinganArgument

SolutionsandRecommendations

ExpressingEmotions

Dialogue:TheBestIdeaI’veHeardSoFar

TopicsforPractice

Chapter8GroupDiscussions

Openers:OpeningtheFloor

LeadingaDiscussion

ParticipatinginaGroupDiscussion

Interruptions

ClarificationandExplanations

Misunderstandings

ManagingtheDiscussion

InConclusion

Dialogue:TheHolidayParty

TopicsforPractice

Chapter9SeriousSubjects

Openers:CommonConcerns

OfferingSolutionstoGeneralProblems

LevelsofLanguage

Directvs.IndirectLanguage

Irony,Sarcasm,andEuphemism

ComplaintsandDemands

RulesandConditions

BadNewsandGoodNews

CausesandConsequences

CertaintyandPossibility

ApologiesandAgreements

Dialogue:AHardBargain

TopicsforPractice

Part3PhrasesforSpecialOccasions

Chapter10SpecialOccasions

Openers:WordsofWelcome

HonorsandAwards

SpecialOccasions

Vacations,Holidays,andTrips

Dining

PersonalNotes

Dialogue:HappyBirthday!

Part4PhrasesforTelephoneConversations

Chapter11TelephoneBasics

MakingaCall

ReceivingaCall

CheckingDetails

ConnectingaCall

InformationandServices

TelephoneEtiquette

EndingaCall

MakingSmallTalk

Dialogue:TouchingBase

Practice

Chapter12TelephoneMessages

GivingDetailsoverthePhone

LeavingaMessage

TakingaMessage

EnsuringCommunication

ReturningaCall

AnsweringMachines,VoiceMail,andTextMessages

Dialogue:AMessage

Practice

Chapter13TelephoneBusiness

MakingAppointments

MakingBookingsandReservations

ChangesandCancellations

OrdersandServices

DiscussingaProblem

InConclusion

Dialogue

TopicsforPractice

I

Acknowledgments

wouldfirstliketoexpressmygratitudetoMcGraw-HillProfessionalfortheopportunitytopublishthisbookandtomyeditor,HollyMcGuire,forchoosingmeforthisparticularproject.Iwouldalsoliketoacknowledgethevaluableinsightsmycolleagueand

friend,BarbDonaldson,hasprovidedalongtheway.Mythanksgooutaswelltomystudents:Yuko,Joo-Weoun,Hye-Sin,Chae-

Rin,Mayumi,andSatokofortheirperceptivefeedback.Lastbutnotleast,myappreciationtomyhusband,Erich,forhissupportand

encouragement.

P

Introduction

WhoCanBenefitfromUsingThisBook?

erfectPhrasesforESL:ConversationSkillswaswrittenforESLstudentsandlearnerswhowanttoimprovetheirconversationskillsinsideand

outsideoftheclassroom.ThecontentwasselectedtofamiliarizeyouwiththekindoflanguagenativeEnglishspeakersuseregularlyineverydayconversationsanddiscussionsathome,school,andwork.Althoughitwaswrittenwithintermediate-levelspeakersinmind,thereissomethingforeverymotivatedlearnerwhoaimstodevelophisorherabilitytoparticipateinconversationsanddiscussionsonabroadvarietyoftopics.

HowtoUseThisBookThebookconsistsofthirteenchaptersdividedintofourparts:phrasesforconversation,discussions,specialoccasions,andtelephoneconversations.Progressingindepthanddifficulty,thissecondeditioncoverstopicsrelevanttoeverydaylife.

ObjectivesTheseindicatetheskillsyoucanexpecttogainfromusingthephrasesineachchapter.

PhrasesParts1to3

Thefirstthreepartscoverphrasesforeverydayconversation.Eachchapterbeginswithtypicalconversationopenersandcontainsa

collectionoftopic-relatedphrasesthatwillguideyouthroughanaturalconversationordiscussion.Althoughthephrasesareorganizedthematically,theyarenotexclusivetoanyonetopic.Whereappropriate,referenceismadetophrasesthatappearinpreviouschaptersandcomeinhandywhenyoudiscussdifferentsubjects.

Part4Thethreechaptersinthissectionpresentphrasesthatarecommonlyusedwhenyoumaketelephonecallsforbothpersonalandbusinesspurposes,andtheseareorganizedfromformaltoinformal.Becausethecontentofatelephoneconversationdoesnotdiffergreatlyfromaface-to-faceconversation,thesymbolrefersyoutousefulphrasesfromParts1and2.Youwillfindthesephrasesunderthegivensectionheadingandpagenumber,e.g.,DiscourseMarkers,page30.

Becauselanguageiscloselytiedtoacountry’scultureandcustoms,manyphrasesareorganizedfromformaltoinformal,indirecttodirect,strongtomild,andindegreesofpolitenesssothatyoucanchoosethephrasesthatareappropriatetouseindifferentsituations.Theinformation symbolwillalsoalertyoutolanguageorculturetips.

Youwillseethatsomephrasesandpartsofphrasesappear:

inboldtype

betweenslashes(/)

Boldtypeindicatesphrasesthatrequireadditionalinformation.Forexample:

Letmeintroducemyfiancée,Alice.(Chapter2)

Whydon’tyoutrydoingvolunteerwork?(Chapter3)

Slashesareusedtoshowhowaphraseinboldtypecanbecompletedwithvariousinformation.Forexample:

Don’tyoulookcharming/pretty/handsometoday!(Chapter3)

Pleaseacceptmyapologiesforthemistake/oversight/inconvenience/trouble.(Chapter9)

Slashesalsoindicatehowaphrasecanbevariedwiththeuseofprepositions,gerundsorinfinitives,orsynonyms.Forexample:

Iplantosail/planonsailingaroundtheworldsomeday.(Chapter6)

What’syourview/take/stand/positiononthechangestoourcurriculum?(Chapter8)

Phrasesthatarenotindicatedinboldtypearefixedexpressionsandcanstandontheirown.Forexample:

Whatapity!(Chapter5)

Icouldn’tagreewithyoumore!(Chapter7)

Ofcourseitisnotnecessaryforyoutomasterorevenattempttomasterallofthephrasesundereachheadingandsubheading.Oneortwomaysuityourpurposesquitenicely.Choosethephrasesthatfityourpersonalstyle,andonceyou’recomfortableusingthem,youcantryoutanotherone.ListencarefullytonativeEnglishspeakersandmakeanoteofthephrasesthatyouhearthemuse.

DialoguesThedialogueineachchaptershowsyouhownativeEnglishspeakersmightusetheparticularphrasesinatypicalconversation.IfyouarelearningEnglishinaclassroomsituation,youcanactoutthedialogueasaskitoruseitasamodelforaconversationrole-play.

TopicsforPracticeAttheendofeachchapteryouwillfindalistoftopicstostimulateconversation.Practicewithafriendorclassmate.Themorepeopleyouincludeintheconversation,themerrier.

VocabularyNotesThereareblanklinedpagesattheendofeachchapterforyoutorecordnewvocabulary.MakeapointofwritingdowntheEnglishdefinition.Asyouwillnotice,somewordsandphrasescannotbeeasilytranslatedintoyournative

language.Remember:ItwillbemucheasiertoconverseinEnglishifyoulearntothinkandexplainyourselfinEnglish.

AFinalNoteIntheend,thebestandonlywaytodevelopyourconversationanddiscussionskillsistotalk.IsincerelyhopethatPerfectPhrasesforESL:ConversationSkillswillaccompanyandguideyouontheroadtosuccessfulcommunication!

Goforit!

PART1PhrasesforConversation

“Conversationisthelaboratoryandworkshopofthestudent.”

—RalphWaldoEmerson

CHAPTER

SmallTalk

Objectivestointroduceyourself

tocarryonabasicconversationaboutyourselfandothers

ChanwoniswaitingforhisconnectingflighttoSeattle.He’scometotheUnitedStatesforayeartostudyEnglishbeforehereturnstoKoreatofinishhisdegreeinelectronicengineering.Hehasbeenonshortholidaysabroadwithhisfamily,butthisisthefirsttimethathewillbelivinginanEnglish-speakingenvironmentwithanEnglish-speakingfamily.Ofcoursehe’snervousabouthisabilitytocommunicateinalanguagehehasonlystudiedinschool.He’dliketotalktosomeonewhilehe’swaitingforhisplane,buthe’snotsurehowtobeginorwhattosay.Whatifheusesthewrongword,ornooneunderstandshim?Andwhatifsomeoneaskshimaquestionhedoesn’tknowhowtoanswer?Ifonlyhehadmorevocabulary!Ifonlyhecouldspeakasnaturallyaseveryonearoundhim!

YoucouldbelikeChanwonwaitingforyourflightattheairportwithalongtrip

aheadofyou.Youcouldbehavingacoffeeinacaféoramealinarestaurant,standingsomewhereinaline,socializingataparty,orinteractingwithpeopleyou’veonlyjustmet.Situationsinwhich

peoplestrikeupaconversationoutofcuriosityormutualinterest,orjusttobesociable,presentthemselveswhenyouaretravelinginaforeigncountry.

Whetheryou’remeetingsomeoneforthefirsttimeorconnectingwithanoldfriendoracquaintance,mostconversationsstartoutonapersonalnote.Atfirstyou’remostlikelytotalkabout:

whereyouliveorcomefrom;

whatyoudoforaliving;

whatbringsyoutoaparticularlocation.

Iftheconversationcontinues,you’llusuallymoveontoeverydaysubjectswithwhichyou’refamiliarsuchas:

personalinterestsandhobbies;

theweather;

yourenvironment(theairport,restaurant,hotel,park,beach,etc.);

yourlocation(city,country,school,orworkplace);

currenthappeningssuchassportsandculturaleventsorthenews.

AlthoughEnglish-speakingpeopletendtoengageeasilyinconversationswithstrangers,therearecertaintopicsthatmaybeconsideredtoointimate.Topicsthatshouldbeavoidedare:

maritalstatus,

age,

income,

religion,

politics.

Phrases

Openers:ExcuseMe…Mostoftenaconversationbeginswithasimplequestion,arequestforinformation,oracommentabouttheweatherorsurroundings.Dependingonthepersonyou’retalkingtoandthesituationyou’rein—isthesituationformalorcasual,isthepersonclosetoyourage—therearetwoapproachesyoucantake.

Theindirectapproachisapoliteandunobtrusivewaytotestthewatersincasetheotherpersonisn’tinterestedintalkingatlength:

May/couldIborrowyournewspaper/magazine/thesaltandpepper?

CouldyoutellmeifthisiswheretheplaneleavesforHouston?

Wouldyouhappentoknowagoodrestaurant/anicehotel?

Iwaswonderingifyou’refromaroundhere.ThisismyfirstvisittoLondon.

Sorrytobotheryou,butisthisseattaken/isanyonesittinghere?

Wouldyoumindtellingmewhereyougotthatbook?

CouldItrouble/botheryouforchange?Idon’tseemtohaveanyquarters.

Youwouldn’thappentoknowifthere’sacafé/abank/agrocerystorenearhere?

Thedirectapproachtakestheinitiativeinafriendly,openmanner:

Excuseme,doyouhavethetime?

Thisisagreathotel,isn’tit?

Ican’tbelievehowbusytheairportistoday.

Niceday,isn’tit/eh?

So,whatbringsyouhere?

Doyoucomehereoften?

Areyoufromhere?

TalkingAboutYourselfAconversationwithastrangerisagoodopportunitynotonlytopassthetimebutalsotopracticeyourEnglish.Ifthepersontowhomyouarespeakingisinthemoodtocontinuetheconversation,mostlikelyheorshewillbeinterestedinfindingoutmoreaboutyou.

Nationality I’mKorean/Japanese/German/Mexican.

Residence I’mfromSeoul/Kyoto/Hamburg/Guadalajara.

IcomefromKorea/Japan/Germany/Mexico.

Age* I’mtwenty-five/thirty-two/inmyforties.

Maritalstatus** I’msingle/married/divorced/widowed.

Job I’manengineer/ateacher/astudent/asystemsanalyst.

I’minadvertising/inelectronics/ininsurance.

I’mself-employed/retired.

I’mwithMcGraw-Hill/AT&T/Siemens.Hobbiesandinterests I’minterestedinsports/fashion/traveling/art.

I’mintoaerobics/gourmetcooking/pottery.

ShowingInterestItisimportantandpolite,ofcourse,toshowinterestinwhatyourconversationpartnertellsyou;otherwisewhat’sthepointoftalkingtosomeone?Whileitiscourteoustorespondtothepersonyouhavejustmet,itisevenmoreimportanttobesincereandtoreplyinacomfortable,naturalmanner.

IntroducingYourselfIfyouandthepersonyou’vebeentalkingtohititoff,youmightwanttointroduceyourself.Herearesometipswhenmakingintroductions:

InEnglish-speakingcultures,itisusualforpeopletointroducethemselveswiththeirfirstnamesratherthantheirfamilyorsurnames.ItisveryrarethatAmericansorCanadianswillintroducethemselvesasMr.orMrs.Brown.Iftheygiveboththeirfirstandlastname,forexample“I’mJudySmith”,theywillusuallyexpectyoutocallthembytheirfirstname.AlsointheEnglishlanguagethereisnodistinctionbetweenformalandfamiliaraddress,asisthecaseinmanyotherlanguages.“You”is“you”regardlessofage,socialstatus,orfamiliarity.Becarefulnottoconfuse“howareyou”and“howdoyoudo.”Howareyou

isaquestionandrequiresananswer:I’mfine,thanksorNottoobad(seeAskingaboutSomeone’sWell-Being,page22-23).Howdoyoudolookslikeaquestionbutisreallyagreeting,anditisacceptabletorespondwithHowdoyoudo,oroneofthephrasesthatfollow.Ifyouwanttoknowaboutsomeone’shealth,it’sbettertoask,Howareyoufeeling?orHowareyou?Traditionallypeopleshakehandswhentheymakeintroductions,particularly

inbusinessorformalsituations.Menalmostalwaysshakehands,whereaswomenmayormaynot.Whenmeetingawomanforthefirsttime,waitforhertoofferherhand.

Inmorecasualandinformalsituationsshakinghandsisnotalwaysthecustom.Youngpeoplewillusegestures,suchaswavingtheirhand,toacknowledgetheperson.Ifyouarenotsurewhattodoinaparticularsituation,doasothersdo.Weusetheverbtomeetwhenwewanttosaythatwemakeaperson’s

acquaintance.Ifsomeoneasksyou:Howdidyoumeetyourhusbandorwife,theymeanhowwereyoufirstintroduced,notwhendidyouseehimorherlast.

Example:A:Howdidyoumeetyourhusband?B:Actuallyhewasafriendofmybrother ’sfromhiscollegedays,andatfirstIdidn’tevenlikehim.

Responses

BreakingtheIceTalkingtosomeoneyou’vejustmetcanbeawkward,especiallyifyou’renotsurewhattosayorask.Walkingawayorcuttingtheconversationshortcanappearrudeandunfriendly.Sowhatcanyoutalkabouttobreaktheice?

Ifyoufeeluncomfortableaboutaskingdirectquestions,“yesorno”questionsshowthatyou’reinterestedintheotherpersonandallowtheotherpersontoelaborateiftheywishto.NativeEnglishspeakersareoftenmoredirectandwillalmostalwaysaskstrangerswherethey’refromandwhattheydoforaliving.

QuestionstoAskifthePersonIsNewtotheCity

IsthisyourfirsttimetoNewYork?

HaveyoubeentoVictoriabefore?

Areyounewtothecompany?

Areyoufamiliarwiththisarea?

Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?

QuestionstoAskWhythePerson’sHere

Areyouhereonbusiness/aholiday?

DidyoucomeheretostudyEnglish/totravelaround?

Doyouplantostayherelong?

Whichschool/universityareyoustudyingat?

Howlongareyoustaying/visiting?

QuestionsAboutthePerson’sExperiencesSoFar

Haveyouseenmuchofthecity/country?

Sohowdoyoulikeitheresofar?

Howwasyourflight/trip/firstlesson?

Theweather ’sbeengreat/nice/verycold,hasn’tit?

Areyouusedto/haveyougottenusedtothefoodyet?

QuestionsAboutthePerson’sPersonalInformation

Whereareyoufrom?

Wheredoyoucallhome?

WhatpartofBrazil/RiodeJaneirodoyoulivein?

Areyoutravelingaloneorwithfamily/friends?

Doyoulikemusic/theater/sports/skiing/swimming?

Whatdoyoudoforaliving?

Whatkindofbusinessareyouin?

Ifyou’rethepersonbeingintroduced,you’llwanttoshowinterestintheotherpersonaswell.Ifyouranswertoaquestionisnegative,it’sagoodideatorespondwithaquestionsoasnottocutofftheotherpersonorforcehimorhertocarrytheconversation.

Haveyoubeenherelong?No,I’vejustarrived.Andyou?

Haveyoubeentothemuseum?No,notyet.Haveyou?

Areyoustayingverylong?No,onlyafewdays.Howlongareyouherefor?

Soasnottosoundlikeaparrot,youcanrespondtoaquestionbyaskingthesamethinginanotherway:

Whereareyoufrom?FromOsaka.Andwheredoyoucallhome?

Areyouhereonbusiness?Yes,Iam.What/howaboutyou?

Howlongareyoustayinghere?Twoweeks.Areyouhereverylong?

Whatdoyoudoforaliving?I’manarchitect.Andwheredoyouwork?

Otheracceptabletopicsforsmalltalkaretheweather,localsightsandattractions,theeventyouareattending,andtheservicesorfacilitiesinthehotelwhereyou’restaying.

StayinginTouch

It’sbeengreatseeingyou/talkingtoyou.

We’llhavetostayintouch.

Weshouldgettogetheragain/sometime/soon.

Lookmeupnexttimeyou’reintown.

Don’tforgettogivemeacall/sendmeane-mail.

Dropinsometime.

Responses

Givemeacall/aring/abuzz.

That’sadeal.

I’lldothat.

I’llsuretry.

Youcancountonit!

Forsure.

Youbet!

SayingGood-Bye

Responses

WishingSomeoneWell

Haveaniceday/apleasantevening/asafetrip/anenjoyableflightback.

Enjoyyourflight/stay/tour.

Goodlucktoyou!

Allthebest.

Takecarenow.

Takeiteasy.

Responses

Youhaveaniceday,too.

Iwishyouthesame.

Sametoyou.

Likewise.

You,too.

Dialogue:SmallWorldThisdialoguetakesplaceatanairportcafé.Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Jenny:Excuseme.Doyouhavethetime?Brett:Uh,sure.Letmetakealook.It’stento.Jenny:Thanks.I’msorrytobotheryou,butmywatchseemstohavestopped.Brett:Noproblem.Jenny:I’malwaysalittlenervousaboutthetimewhenIhavetoflysomewhere.Brett:Iunderstand.Youwouldn’twanttomissyourflight.Jenny:No,that‘sforsure.I’mflyingtoLasVegastoseeafriendandI’mreallyexcited.Brett:Yeah,Vegasisquitetheplace.Jenny:Haveyoubeentherebefore?

Brett:Actually,Ilivethere.Jenny:You’rekidding!Haveyoulivedtherelong?Brett:Aboutfiveandahalfyearsnow.Jenny:Wow,thenyoumustknowthecityprettywell.Brett:Well,I’mawayonbusinessalot,butIgetaround.Jenny:I’mkindoftheopposite.Brett:Andwheredoyoucallhome?Jenny:IworkinVancouver,butI’moriginallyfromSaltSpringIsland.Ibetyou’veneverheardofit.Brett:Asamatteroffact,Iwasthereonasailingtriplastsummer.Jenny:Really?That’sinteresting.Brett:It’sabeautifulplace.Jenny:Oneofthebest.Wow,thisisasmallworld!Brett:SohowlongareyoustayinginVegas?Jenny:Justaweek.Unfortunately,that’sallthetimeIcouldgetofffromwork.Brett:Look,here’smycardwithmycellphonenumberande-mail.Bytheway,myname’sBrett.Jenny:I’mJenny.Brett:Nicetomeetyou,Jenny.Jenny:Nicetomeetyou,too.Brett:I’llbebackinthreedays.Maybewecangettogetherforanightout.Jenny:That’sadeal.Hey,I’dbettergetgoing.Brett:Yeah,youdon’twanttomissthatplane.Jenny:Itwasgreattalkingtoyou,Brett.Brett:Samehere.Jenny:Andthanksforyourcard.Brett:Mypleasure.Haveagoodflight,anddon’tgambleawayyourmoney.Jenny:Iwon’t.Bye-bye.Brett:Seeya!

TopicsforPracticeWhatcanyousayabout:

1.yourjoborstudies;

2.yourfamily;

3.thecity/townorcountryyoucomefrom;

4.thecity/townorcountryyou’revisiting;

5.theflightorjourneyyou’vebeenon;

6.thereasonyou’reatyourlocation(hotel,airport,restaurant,city,school);

7.theweatherorclimate;

8.somethingyou’veseenordoneonyourtrip;

9.arecentsports,social,orculturalevent;

10.averydifferentcustomorhabitthatyou’venoticed?

VocabularyNotes

* InEnglish-speakingcountriesitisnotcommontotalkaboutyourageortoaskacompletestrangerhisorherage.Infact,itcanbeconsideredrude,particularlyifthepersonismucholderormuchyoungerthanyouare.** Again,maritalstatuscanbeconsideredpersonalinformation,andapersonmaytakeoffenseifaskedifheorsheismarriedornot.Somepeoplemaynotwishtomentioniftheyaredivorcedorwidowed.

CHAPTER

PastExperiences

Objectivestointroducefamilymembers,friends,andacquaintances

totalkandinquireaboutpastexperiencesandevents

Juttaisshowingherhusband,Franz,aroundthecityofVictoria,BritishColumbia,whiletheyarevisitingonaholiday.ThreeyearsagowhenshewasofferedanexcitingnewjobasaneditorialassistantwithapublisheroftradejournalsinNuremberg,Germany,JuttaattendedanintermediateEnglishcourseatalanguageschoolinVictoriatobrushuponherhighschoolEnglish.Duringherthree-monthstudiesshemetmanyforeignstudentsandmadefriendsfromJapan,Korea,andMexico.AlthoughJuttahaslosttouchwithYuko,Ryeowon,andPatricia,sheoften

wonderswhathappenedtothem,andhowtheirliveshavechanged.WhileJuttaandFranzarevisitingtheButchartGardens,shespotsagroupofKoreantourists.TheirguidelookssomuchlikeRyeowon,butthatwouldbetoomuchofacoincidence!Thegroupmovescloser,andJuttacallsRyeowon’sname.Theyoungwomanturnsaroundwithalookofsurpriseonherface.

Ifyouhavetraveledorstudiedabroad,chancesarethatwhenyouleastexpectityouwillrunintosomeone—aformerclassmateorcolleague,ateacher,orafriendofafriend—onaholiday,ataconference,ata

wedding,orevenonthestreet.Timehaspassed,and,ofcourse,youhavealottocatchupon.Therearesomanyexperiencesyouhavetoshare,somanystoriesyou’dliketotell,andsomanyquestionsyou’reanxioustoask.

Phrases

Openers:GreetingsWhenyouhaven’tseensomeoneforalongtime,it’scustomarytobegintheconversationbyaskingabouttheotherperson’swell-beingandbycommentingpositivelyonchangesthatyoumaynotice.

AddressingSomeoneWhoseNameYouCan’tRemember

Idon’tmeantobeforward,butdon’tIknowyoufromsomewhere?

Coulditbethatwe’vemetbefore?

Youremindmeofsomeone.Youwouldn’thappentobeMargarete?

Don’tIknowyoufromlastyear ’sbookfairinFrankfurt?

Haven’twemetbefore?

Youlookfamiliar.

AskingAboutSomeone’sWell-Being

Howareyou?

Howarethings?

Howhaveyoubeen?

How’sit/everythinggoing?

So,how’slifebeentreatingyou?

How’veyoubeengettingalong/makingout?

Responses

Justfine.Andyou?

Great.Andyourself?

Couldn’tbebetter.Howaboutyou?

Prettygood.

Can’tcomplain.

Nottoobad.

GeneralComments

It’sgood/great/toseeyouagain/torunintoyoulikethis.

You’relookinggreat/good/well.

Youhaven’tchangedmuch/atall.

You’vehardlychanged.

It’sbeenages/solong/suchalongtime.

Ican’tbelieveit’syou.

Isthatreallyyou?

Smallworld,isn’tit?

MakingIntroductionsWhetheryou’retravelingonbusinessorforpleasure,youaremostlikelyinthecompanyofanotherperson.Whenyouintroducefriendsandfamily,youshouldchoosefamiliarlanguage(seeChapter1),andintroducethepersonwithhisorherfirstname.

Whenintroducingathirdperson,itisagoodideatogivesomeinformationabouttheperson:

howthepersonisrelatedtoyou:husband/wife,fiancée/fiancé,son/daughter,niece/nephew,etc.

wherethefriendoracquaintanceisfromandwhat’shisorherjob

Responses

CatchingUpOnceyou’vegottenreacquainted,youwillwanttofindoutaboutfriendsandacquaintancesthatyouhaveincommonandreminisceabout“thegoodoldtimes.”

AskingAboutRecentEvents

Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthistime?

Where’veyoubeenhiding/keepingyourself?

What’scooking/up/new/thescoop?

Whathaveyoubeenupto?

So,what’sthestory?

Anythingnew?

AskingAboutFriendsandAcquaintances

Iwonderwhateverhappenedto/becameofGuido.

HaveyouheardanythingfromTomoko?

HaveyouseenMaria-Teresalately?

Doyouknowanythingaboutourteacher?

DidyouknowthatAndregotmarried/promoted?

TalkingAboutFriendsandAcquaintances

ThelastIheard,Guidohadchangedjobs.

It’shardtokeepupwithAnastasia.She’salwaysonthego.

Ihaven’theardfromherforages.

Weusedtoe-mail,butlatelyweseemtohavelosttouch.

That’sgreatnews.I’mreallyglad/happyforhim.

SharedExperiences

Rememberwhenweheldamockelectioninourafternoonclass?

Didn’twehavefun/agoodtimeonthatcampingtrip?

Wasn’tthefoodinthecafeteriadelicious/awful?

Don’tyoumissthebeach/scenery/goingouttothedisco?

Thosewerethegoodolddays/goodoldtimes!

PastExperiencesReconnectingwitholdfriendsoracquaintancesisanopportunitytoexchangestoriesaboutyourexperiences.Timehaspassedsinceyoulastsaweachother,andyouareinterestedinfindingoutwhathashappenedinthemeantime.

AskingAboutPastExperiences

Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthistime?

Haveyoubeenuptoanythingexciting/interesting?

WhathappenedafteryouwentbacktoJapan?

I’mdying/anxioustohearaboutyournewjob/whatyou’vebeendoing.

So,whathaveyoubeenupto?

So,fillmein.

IntroducinganExperience

You’llneverguesswhathappenedtomeinPhoenix.

Themostinterestingthinghappenedtometheotherday.

LetmetellyouaboutwhathappenedwhileIwasinToronto.

Know/guesswhathappened?

Guesswhat?

TransitionsandConnectorsEveryonehasastorytotell.Whetherit’sajokeorshortanecdote;alengthyaccountofanadventure,game,orevent;areportofanaccidentormishap;orthesummaryofanintriguingconversation,theseaccountsmakeupalargepartofyourdailyconversations.Totellagoodstoryyoudon’thavetobeaprofessionalentertainer;youjustneedtoconnectyourthoughtsandtoaddalittledramaattherightmoment.

AskingAboutExperiences

Whathappenedonyourvacation/trip/whenyouwenttoFrance?

HowdidyoumakeoutwhileyouwereinLondon?

SohowdidyourvisittoNewYorkgo/turnout/workout?

WhateverbecameofyourplanstotakepartintheTourdeFrance?

WhatdidyouexperienceonyourcruisetoAlaska?

Didanythinginteresting/unusual/excitinghappentoyouonyourholiday?

I’vealwayswondered/wantedtoaskyouaboutyouryearinCalifornia.

We’dlovetohearthelatestnews.

Beginnings

Onemorning/afternoon/dayonourholidayinFrancewedecidedtogoforashortwalkinthecountryside.

Tostart/tobeginwith/firstoff/itallstartedwhenwehadbreakfastandgotreadyforourwalk.

Sequence

Next/thenextthing,wefollowedasetofredandwhitetrailmarkersfromourhoteltotheLotriver.

Alongthewaywesawasignpointingtoahistoricalvillageonahilloverlookingtheriver.

Then/sothenweclimbedupandspentsometimecheckingoutthevillage.

Inthemeantimeithadstartedtorain,sowewentintosomeshops.

Whilewewerelookingaround,therainstoppedandwecontinuedonourwalk.

Onthewaywepassedthroughanothersmallvillage.

Wekeptonwalkingbutafterawhilewenoticedthattherewerenomoreredandwhitetrailmarkers.

Afewmiles/kilometerslaterweaskedfordirectionsatafarmhouse,butthewomansaidshedidn’tknowofanytrailleadingbacktoourhotel.

Afterthat/afterwardwedecidedtoturnaroundandgobacktothevillage.

AddingDramaandInformation

Allofasudden/suddenlyitstartedtorainagain,onlythistimeitstartedrainingcatsanddogs.

Bythetimewegottothevillagewewerewet,hungry,andtired.

Totopitoff/tomakemattersworse,whenwegottothevillagecafé,theyhadfinishedservinglunch,andallwecouldhavewasacupofcoffee.

Unfortunatelythatdaywasanationalholiday,andtherewasnobusservice.

Infact/asamatteroffacttherewasnotaxiinthearea,either.

Luckily/fortunately/asluckwouldhaveit,therainsoonstoppedandwecontinuedon.

Luckyforuswecametoasignpointingtothevillagewhereourhotelwaslocated.

However,itwassevenkilometersawayandbeforeweknewit,itwasalreadylateafternoon.

Frankly/actually/truthfully/totellyouthetruthwethoughtwewerenevergoingtofindourwaybackbeforedark.

Asitturnedoutwecametotheriverwhereatlastwesawtheredandwhitetrailmarkers.

Concluding

Finallywemadeourwayalongthemuddyriverbank.

Intheendwegotbacktoourhoteljustbeforedarkandintimefordinner.

Tomakealongstoryshort/longstoryshortwecleanedup,haddinner,andwenttobed!

Themoral/lessonofthestoryiswhenyougoonawalkinaforeigncountry,neverleaveyourhotelwithoutamap.

Itjustgoestoshowyouthatyoushouldneverleaveyourhotelwithoutamap.

DiscourseMarkersBecausepeoplethinkontheirfeetwhentheyholdaconversation,theyuse“littlewords”calleddiscoursemarkerstofillinthegapswhentheyaresearchingforwords.Discoursemarkersdonotchangethemeaningofthesentence.Infacttheyhavenoliteralmeaningandcanbecomeabadhabit,asinthecaseof“like”or“youknow,”whenthespeakerusesthemtoooften.CommondiscoursemarkersinEnglishincludethefollowing.

Starters

Asyouknow/yousee/see

Now/then/okay/allright

Imean/well/so/oh

Say/why

Examples:Well,I’dlovetohearaboutyourtrip.Now,whathaveyoubeenupto?So,afterwegottotheairport,wehadtowaitfivehours.

Fillers

Uh/er/em

Like/youknow

Examples:Westayedatthisgreathotel,youknow,rightonthebeach.Itwas,like,thebestplaceweeverstayed.

QuestionTailsandTags

Whereasmanylanguageshavefixedquestiontags,suchasn’est-cepasinFrench,verdadinSpanish,andnichtwahrorgellinGerman,forinstance,Englishusesthesamehelpingverbsthatformaquestion,andeachquestiontagdependsontheverbtense.Commonexamplesare:It’saniceday,isn’tit?orYouhaven’tmetmyfiancée,haveyou?Forhelpwithquestiontags,youcanconsultagoodgrammarbook.

KnowwhatImean?

Don’tyouthink?

Ornot?

Right?

Eh?*

Examples:

Travelingisoneofthebestwaystogainexperience,don’tyouthink?

Terrificgame,eh?

EnjoymentandPleasure

ExpressingEmotionsEmotionscanbedifficulttoexpress,particularlyinalanguagethatisnotyournativetongue.Tosayhowyoufeelandtomakesurethatothersunderstandyourfeelings,youwillneedtousespecificphrasesandidiomaticexpressions.

AstonishmentandSurprise

That’sincredible/fantastic/amazing/farout/unreal/awesome.

That’shard/difficulttoimagine.

Idon’tbelievethatforaminute!

You’vegottabekidding/joking!

You’reputtingmeon/pullingmyleg.

Whatacoincidence!

Noway!

Belief

Ibelieveyou/it.

Icanimagine.

That’strue/forsure.

Isn’tthatthetruth!

Ibet!

EndingtheConversationWe’llhavetogettogether/dothisagainsometimesoon.

Itwasgreattoseeyouagain.

I’msogladweranintoeachother.

Ireallyenjoyedseeingyouagain.

Let’skeepintouch/gettogetheragain.

Takecare/takeiteasy.

Catchyoulater/anothertime.

TimeExpressions

WhenreferringtothetimeinEnglish-speakingcountries,nativeEnglishspeakersgenerallydifferentiatebetweennightanddaybyusinga.m.andp.m.Forexample,breakfasttimeisat7:00a.m.anddinnertimeisat7:00p.m.(ratherthanat19:00).Itisalsocommontosayseveninthe

morningoreveninginordertoclarifythetimeofday.Ratherthantentotwelveoraquarteraftertwelve,nativeEnglishspeakersshortenittotentoorquarterafter.

Time: at5:00

Day: onMonday/Friday

Month: inJune

Year: in2005

Date: onthe2ndofMarch/Marchthe2nd

Deadline: by7:30/tomorrow/Saturday/theendofthemonth

Other: inthemorning/afternoon/evening

atnight/thebeginning/theend

ontheweekend

from9:00to/until12:00

since8:00/Friday/January/1995/lastweek/Igothere

fortwohours/threedays/sixmonths/tenyears/alongtime/manyyears

duringlunch/theflight/myholiday/theweek

Dialogue:LongTimeNoSeeThisdialoguetakesplaceatagolfclub.Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Susan:Mark,Idon’tbelieveit.There’ssomeoneIknowoverthere.Linda!Linda:Oh,mygosh.Susan.SusanMacrae,isthatyou?Susan:SusanEdisonnow,butyeah,it’sme.

Linda:Noway!Nicetoseeyou,Susan.Like,it’sbeenages!Susan:Iknow.Gee,youhaven’tchangedabit.Linda:Idon’tknowaboutthat.Whathaveyoubeendoingallthistime?Susan:Oh,theusual.Youknow,life,work,family.Andyourself?Linda:Well,that’salongstory.Susan:I’dlovetohearit,butfirstletmeintroducemyhusband.Mark,meetLindaFranzen.Oratleastitwas.Linda:Stillis.Hi,Mark.Nicetomeetyou.Mark:Howdoyoudo,Linda.Susan:LindaandIlivedinthesamedormatcollege.Mark:SothisistheLinda…?Linda:Ihopeyouhaven’ttoldanystories.Susan:Nothingthatisn’ttrue.Linda:NowI’mreallyintrouble!Anyway,howcomeIhaven’tseenyoutwoherebefore?Mark:Well,weonlyjoinedthegolfclubthissummer.Susan:MarkgottransferredtoPortlandlastsummer,andsincethenwe’vebeenbusygettingsettledintoournewhouseandthentherearethekidsandalltheiractivities.Linda:Youalwayswereago-getter,Susan.Areyoustillintoacting?Mark:Acting?IstheresomethingIshouldknow?Susan:Oh,itwasjustamateurstuff.Butthatwasn’tallwedidforkicks,wasit?Linda:Don’tremindme.Susan:Thegoodoldcollegedays,huh?Butdidn’tyougotoEuropeforawhile?Linda:Yeah,ItraveledaroundandthenIendeduplivinginItalyfortenyears.Susan:Wow!WhatwereyoudoinginItaly?Linda:Well,firstIhadaballjusttouringaroundandthenIgotajobteachingEnglish.That’showImetGiorgio.You’llhavetomeethim.Look,let’sgettogetherfordinner.Susan:We’dloveto.Theremustbeamillionthingstocatchupon.LikewhateverhappenedtoBrenda.

Linda:You’llneverguess,butsheendedupinNewZealand.Susan:Whatdoyouknow!Weusedtohaveariottogether!Linda:Didn’twe!Anyway,sorryIhavetorun,butgivemearing.I’minthebook.Susan:Soarewe.EdisononCormorantDrive.Linda:Gotit!Well,itwasgreatmeetingyou,Mark.Mark:Samehere.Linda:Susanalwayshadgoodtaste.Hopetoseeyousoon.Susan:Youcancountonit!

TopicsforPracticeTellastoryabout:

1.yourlastholiday;

2.yourlastbusinesstrip;

3.oneofthehappiestmomentsinyourlife;

4.theluckiestorfunniestthingthat’severhappenedtoyou;

5.anunforgettabletravelexperience;

6.anaccomplishmentatworkorschool;

7.thehistoryofyourcompany/townorcity;

8.adisasteroraccidentthatyouhaveexperienced;

9.howyoumetyourbestfriend/wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend;

10.howyougotyourjob.

VocabularyNotes

* EhisconsideredatypicallyCanadianquestiontail,butitisalsousedinGreatBritainandformerBritishcolonies,althoughthepronunciationwillvaryslightly.

CHAPTER

Likes,Dislikes,andInterests

Objectivestoexpresslikes,dislikes,andpreferences

totalkandaskabouthobbies,interests,andleisuretimeactivities

MihoandLanxinaretwoofthemanyinternationalstudentswhoattendhighschoolinNorthAmericaeveryyear.NotonlywilltheyhavetogetusedtoanewschoolsystemandEnglish-onlyinstruction,buttheywillfindthemselvesinanewculturalenvironmentwithouttheirfamiliesandthefriendstheyhavegrownupwith.AlthoughbothgirlsknowthatgoingtohighschoolintheUnitedStatesorCanadaisagreatopportunity,theyareunsureofhowwelltheywillfitinandhoweasilytheywillbeabletomakefriends.Whatwilltheyhaveincommonwiththeirclassmates?Howsimilarwilltheirinterestsbe?Willtheybeincludedintheactivities,sports,andgamesthatinterestAmericanandCanadianteenagers?Andwhatiftheirclassmatesaskthemquestionstheydon’tknowhowtoanswer?

Commonlikesandinterestsarethebasisonwhichyoumakefriendsand

developlastingrelationships.Theyarealsothesubjectsyouprobablytalkaboutthemostfrequently.

Phrases

Openers:FeelingThingsOutDoyouhaveanyhobbies?

Areyouinterestedinsports/music/computers?

Doyouhaveafavoritekindoffood/music/sport?

Howdoyouspendyourspare/free/leisuretime?

Whatdoyoudo/liketodoinyourspare/free/leisuretime?

LikesIlikevs.I’dlike

Ilikeicecreammeansthaticecreamgivesmepleasureorenjoyment;inotherwords,ittastesgoodtome.

I’dlike(wouldlike)icecreammeansthatIdon’thaveanyicecreamatthemoment,butIwishIhadsome.

Examples:I’dlikeabigbowloficecreamrightnow,wouldn’tyou?I’dreallyliketoseetheGrandCanyonsomeday.

Also,weuseI’dliketorequestorordersomething,ortooffersomethingtosomeone.

Examples:I’dlikeacoffeetogo,please.

I’dliketwoticketstothe8:00show.Wouldyoulikeasodaoraglassofjuice?

Verbs

Nouns

Verbs/AdjectiveswithPrepositions

ImpersonalSubjects

FeelingsforPeople

SlangExpressions

I’mreally/heavilyintomodernart/painting.

Sun-Woogetsoffonfootball/playingtennis.

Claudiareallydigsyournewoutfit/JohnMayer.

ThisCDreallyturnsmeon.

Hikingisrightupmyalley.

Thatleatherjacketishot/sohot/totallyhot.

Alfonso’sareallycool/neatguy.

Rejoinders

Ilikepizza.SodoI/Ido,too.

Satoko’scrazyaboutsushi.Me,too.

Katecouldn’tlivewithoutherdishwasher.Samehere.

Andreareallygetsoffonreggae.Samegoesforme.

Thismusic’shot.Youbet!

DislikesThesimplestwaytoexpressadislikeistomakeapositiveintoanegative.Manyofthepreviousexpressionscanbemadeintocleardislikes.

Examples:Ilikedancing,butIdon’tlikesquaredancing.

You’refondofcomedies,butyou’renotfondofromanticcomedies.

Sascha’sreallyintojazz,buthissisterisn’tintomusicatall.

Choosingtherightphrasetoexpressyourlikesanddislikesisalwaysanindividualmatter.Itisalsoamatterofhowdeeplyorstronglywelikeordislikesomethingorsomeone.

Verbs

Adjectives+Prepositions

ImpersonalSubject

FeelingsforPeople

Slang

Rejoinders

AsyoucanseefromChapter1andthepreviousexamples,youcanagreewithapositivestatementbyadding“too”;forexample:Ido,too,orMe,too.Whenyouagreewithanegativestatement,useeitherorneitherinstead.Asimpleruletorememberis:

toofortwoormorepositives;

Examples:Ireallyloveanespressoafterameal.Ido,too.Wegetoffonjazz.Me,too.

eitherorneitherfortwoormorenegatives.

Examples:Ican’tstandthisrain.Ican’t,either.Idon’tcaremuchforjunkfood.NeitherdoI/Idon’t,either.

AskingAboutLikesandDislikes

How/howmuchdoyoulikerapmusic/mynewcamera/playingvideogames?

What’syourfavoritecolor/music/game?

Whatkindofsports/movies/fooddoyouprefer/favor?

What/whichfashions/TVshowsareyouinto?

Whatdoyouthinkoftennis/theweather/Beyoncé’snewsong?

Preferences

Interests

PersonalSubject

I’minterestedintennis/videogames/painting/cooking.

Chiafindsyoga/travelingfascinating/interesting/stimulating.

Norbert’sinvolvedinlocalpolitics/recycling/helpingkidswithcancer.

Lourdeshelpsout/volunteersatthelibrary/attheSPCA/atthehospital.

Tomo’samemberofaconversationclub/theRedCross/theYMCA.

Yi-Tingbelongstoabookclub/AmnestyInternational/Greenpeace.

ImpersonalSubject

Tennis/painting/cookinginterestsme.

Documentarymoviesareofgreatinteresttome.

Modernartintrigues/fascinatesme.

CommonInterests

Wehavealotincommon.

Wesharethesameinterests.

We’rebothinterestedinthesamethings.

EuropeansandAmericanssharecommongroundintheirvalues.

DesiresandDependencySometimesyourfeelingstowardsomethingorsomeonegobeyondsimplelikesorpreferencestobecomedesiresanddependencies.Althoughinsomecasesyoumaybeexpressingyourtruefeelings,inothersyoumayexaggerate

forthesakeofeffect.

Desires

Dependency

IndifferenceWekindof/sortoflikethispainting.

Idon’tmindournewoffice.

Theperformancewasratherinteresting.

Themoviewasnotbad/so-so.

Theweatherdoesn’tmattertome.

Itmakesnodifferencetomeifwegooutorstayhome.

It’sallthesametomeifitsnowsorrains.

Icantakeitorleaveit.

It’ssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother.

MakingOffersChoiceofwordsandtoneappliestosituationsinwhichyouoffersomethingtosomeone.Whenyouaredealingwithstrangersorcustomers,wouldlikeismorepolitethanwant.

Ifyouwanttorefuseanofferfromsomeone,asimpleanswerisalwaysbest.Itisnotnecessarytoexplainyourselfortogiveadetailedreasonthatmaysoundinsincereoroffendthepersonwhoismakingtheoffer.

Offers

PositiveResponses

Wouldyoulikeacupofcoffee?

NegativeResponses

CanIgetyousomethingtodrink?

DatesandInvitationsWhenyoumeetsomeoneyoulikeandgetalongwith,it’sonlynaturaltowanttoseehimorheragain.Youcaninvitesomeonetoyourhomefordinner,toaclubforagameofgolf,ortoattendasocialoccasionsuchasawedding,birthdayparty,orcelebration.

Adate,ontheotherhand,isusuallyanarrangementbetweentwopeoplewhohavearomanticinterestineachother,althoughitisalsocommonforfriendstomakealunchortheaterdate,forexample.Traditionallyithasalwaysbeenthemanwhoasksthewomanforadateandwhopaysthecheck,butitisnowacceptable,thoughnotusual,forawomantoaskamanoutorforthemtosplitthecost.

Dates

Invitations

PositiveResponses

NegativeResponses

AnotherTime

Offeringtopay

Letmegetthat.

Lunchisonme.

Mytreat.

It’sonthehouse.*

ExpressingEmotions

Excitement

I’mlookingforwardtothereunion/seeingmyclassmates.

Ican’twaittostartschool/canhardlywaittostartschool.

I’mreallyexcited/thrilled/stoked/firedup/woundupaboutthegame/goingtothegame.

I’mraringtogo/chompingatthebit.

I’mallgungho.

Enthusiasm

Hurrah/hurray/hooray!

Goodmove/goodshow!

Farout/cool/sweet/brilliant/excellent!

Wow/yippee/yeah!

ComplimentsI’dliketocomplimentyouonthedeliciousmeal/onthegreatparty.

Brightcolorsreallysuit/becomeyou.

Youlookgreat/fantasticinthatdress/shirt.

Thoseearringslookgoodonyou/gowellwithyourhair.

IreallylikeyourT-shirt.

Don’tyoulookcharming/pretty/handsometoday!

Responses

Iappreciatethecompliment.

That’sniceofyoutonotice/tosaythat.

Thanksforthecompliment.

Really?Doyouthinkso?

Why,thanks!

Dialogue:What’sforDinner?Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Mike:HeySarah,what’sfordinner?Sarah:Gee,I’vebeensowoundupaboutmyjobinterviewtomorrowthatIhaven’tgivendinnerasinglethought.Mike:Icouldreallygoforsomethingspicylikechili.Sarah:Spicy?I’mnotintospicyfoodrightnow,andactuallyIdon’tfeelmuchlikecooking.Mike:Well,don’tlookatme.Ihatecooking.Andbesidesyou’retheexpert.Thatspaghettiyoumadetheothernightwasawesome.Sarah:Flatterywillgetyounowhere.Whatdoyousaytoorderingapizza?Mike:Goodidea.I’mcrazyaboutpizza.Infact,myfavoriteisHawaiian.Sarah:Ican’tstandpineappleonpizza.Mike:Ididn’trealizeyouweresofussy.Sarah:I’mnot.It’sjustthatIprefertoeatfruitfordessert,notwiththemaincourse.Mike:HowaboutifIorderHawaiianandyouordersomethingelse?Sarah:Butawholepizzaistoomuch,andIdon’tcareforleftoverpizza.Mike:Well,there’salwaysChinesefood.Don’twehaveamenusomewhere?

Sarah:Thelasttimeweorderedfromthatplacethefoodwasgreasyandittookthemforevertodeliver.Butyouknowwhat?There’sanewGreekrestaurantdowntown.It’llbemytreat.Mike:Butdoesn’tGreekfoodhavelotsofgarlic?Justthethoughtofgarlicturnsmeoff.Sarah:Garlic’sgoodforyou.Ican’tgetenoughofitmyself.Mike:Atthisratewe’llnevergetanythingtoeat.I’mstarving.Sarah:Can’tyouthinkaboutanythingbutyourstomach?Mike:Notwhenit’sgettingclosetodinnertime.(ThephoneringsandSarahanswers.)Ally:Hi,Sarah.Sorryforthelatenotice,butwouldyouandMikecaretocomeoverfordinnertonight?Sarah:Yeah,sure.IsthereanythingIcanbring,likeasalad?Ally:No,justbringyourselves.Issix-thirtyallright?Sarah:That’sfine.Seeyouthen.Mike,guesswhat?Ally’sinvitedusoverfordinner.Mike:Sweet!Didshesaywhatshewashaving?Sarah:Really,Mike!Hey,weshouldpickupsomewineontheway.Whatdoyouthink,redorwhite?Mike:Actually,I’drathergetsomebeer.Sarah:Ohno,herewegoagain.

TopicsforPracticeHowmuchdoyoulike…

1.walkingintherain;

2.music;

3.gettingupearly;

4.spendingthedayatthebeach;

5.horrormovies;

6.thecolorsredorblue;

7.violenceontelevision;

8.Mozart;

9.applepieandicecream;

10.goingtoparties;

11.travelingtoforeigncountries;

12.goingtothedentist;

13.gambling;

14.Christmas;

15.catsordogs;

16.yourbossorteacher;

17.videogames;

18.snowboarding;

19.shopping;

20.teamsports?

VocabularyNotes

*Thisphraseisusedwhentheownerofarestaurantorbargivesaguestsomethingforfree.

CHAPTER

ObjectsandProcesses

Objectivestodescribeobjects,products,andprocesses

tocompareandevaluateobjects,products,andprocesses

Andreahasbeenpromotedtoseniorbuyerforawell-establishedcompanythatsellsfootwearandleatheraccessoriesprimarilyinItaly.RecentlythecompanyhastakenoverachainofshoeretailerswithoutletsinAustria,Switzerland,andGermany.InhisnewpositionAndreawillbetravelingfrequentlytoAsiatodiscusstheproductswiththecompany’ssuppliers.Aswell,hewillbeattendinginternationalshoefairswherehewillbebuyingnewproducts.AlthoughAndreaisfamiliarwiththetechnicaltermsoftheshoefashion

industry,hewillnowhavetodiscusshiscompany’sproductsinmoredetail.Whenitcomestodealingwithforeignsuppliers,heneedstoaskandanswerquestionsinaprecisemannersothathewillavoidmistakesandmisunderstandingsthatcouldcosthiscompanytimeandmoney.

Onadailybasismanyofyourconversationsfocusonobjects,devices,andmachinesthatyouuse,produce,buy,andsellatwork,school,home,orthestore.Inadditiontodescribingobjectsandprocesses,youneedtoexplainhowtouseoroperatedevicesandmachinesandtogive

othersinstructionsandexplanations.

Phrases

Openers:TakeaLook!How’dyouliketosee/takealookatmynewiPad?

I’vegotthistoolI’dliketoshowyou.

HowaboutIshowyoumyflat-screenTV?

WanttoseewhatI’vegot?

TakealookatwhatIjustbought.

Checkthisout!

DescribingObjectsTalkingaboutobjects,machines,andprocessescanbeacomplicatedbusiness.Forthispurposeyoumayrequirespecializedlanguageandvocabulary(engineering,IT,telecommunications,medicine,manufacturing,foodpreparation,etc.).Sinceyou’reprobablyalreadyfamiliarwiththetechnicalterms,allyouneedaresomesimpleandusefulexpressionsthatyoucanreadilyemploy.

What’sthisfor?

What’sitcalled?

Whathaveyougotthere?

What’sthissupposedtobe/todo?

Whatkindofmachine/object/tool/device/gadgetisit?

What’sthemake/brandname/model/serialnumber?

IfEnglishspeakersdon’tknowtheparticularnameofanobjectordevice,theyusenondescriptwords,suchas:device/gadget/widget/contraption/orslangexpressions,suchas:doodad/dooie/doohickey/thingamabob/thingamajig/whatchamacallit.

Examples:WhatamIsupposedtodowiththisdoodadonthetop?TheDollarStoresellsallkindsofgadgetsandcontraptions.Pleasehandmethatthingamaboboverthere.

MeasurementsandDimensions

Whatsizeisit?

Howbigisit?

Howlong/wide/high/deep/bigaroundisit/doesitmeasure?

What’sthelength/height/depth/circumference?

Howmuchdoesitweigh/carry/hold?

What’sthemaximumload/capacity?

It’s10inches/22.5centimetreslong/wide/high/deep/around.

Thelength/width/height/depth/circumferenceis10inches/22.5centimetres.

Itmeasures10inches/22.5centimetresinlength/width/height/depth/circumference.

It’sa5-metre-longvehicle/a½-inch-wideband/an80-foot-highbuilding/a20-ouncebottle.

Itweighs10pounds/4.5kilograms.

It’s10pounds/4.5kilogramsheavy.

It’sthesizeofabaseball/abook/agiantsail.

Itfitsintoyourpocket/glovecompartment/closet.

It’s10by5by2inches/22.5by12.5by5centimetres.

It’sflat/two-dimensional/three-dimensional.

Itholds1gallon/4litres.

Shape

Whatdoesitlooklike?

Whatshapeisit?

It’stheshapeofacigar/balloon/walnut.

It’scigar-shaped/balloon-shaped/walnut-shaped.

Itlookslike/resemblesaballooninshape/size.

CommonGeometricalShapes

PropertiesandFeaturesDescribingthesizeandshapeofanobjectwithstandardphrasesisrelativelyeasy.Discussinganobjectinmoredetail,however,requiresawidervarietyofphrases.

Material

What’sitmadeof?

Whatmaterialsdidtheyusetomakeit?

It’smade/constructedofglass/plastic/wood/metal/leather.

Itconsistsofglass/plastic/wood/metal/leather.

It’sasteelrod/agoldring/astonewall/abrickhouse.

Color

Whatcolorisit?

Whatcolor/colorsdoesitcomein?

It’swhite/red/blue/yellowandbeige.

It’sdark/medium/light/pale/brightgreen.

It’sayellowish/reddishcolor.

Origin

Itwasmade/produced/manufactured/assembledinChina/theUSA/Germany.

Itis/wasmade/produced/manufacturedbySony/Philips.

Itwasdesigned/built/constructedbyanarchitect.

ThetelephonewasinventedbyAlexanderGrahamBell.

MethodofProduction

Itwasmadebyhand/machine.

It’shandmade/machine-made/man-made/mass-produced.

Itwasprefabricated/pre-assembled/extruded/molded/mixed/packaged/wrapped.

Itwasmadetoorder/custom-made.

Properties

It’swaterproof/ovenproof/fireproof/childproof.

It’sheatresistant/water-resistant/stainresistant.

It’sdishwashersafe.

It’sdense/solid/liquid/gaseous.

FeaturesandFunctions

Whatcanitdo?

Whatfunctions/featuresdoesithave?

Itcomesinfourcolors/tensizes/sixpatterns.

It’smultipurpose.

Itoperates/runsonelectricity/battery/solarpower/fuelcells.

It’seasytouse/cheaptooperate/efficienttorun.

Itperformsefficiently/inallweatherconditions.

Ithasallthefrills/bellsandwhistles.

Quality

CostandEstimatesHowmuchisit?

Howmuchdoesitcometo?

Howmuchdoyoupay/whatdotheycharge?

What’stheprice?

What’sthedailyrate?

What’sthedamage?

AmericanandCanadianCurrency*

$1.29 onedollarandtwenty-ninecents/adollartwenty-nine

$15.99 fifteendollarsandninety-ninecents/fifteenninety-nine

$5.00 fivedollars/bucks

25cents aquarter

10cents adime

5cents anickel

1cent penny

Itwas/cost$50.

Theychargedme$50.

Thepricewas$50.

It’s/wasworth$50.

It’svalued/appraisedat$50.

Itcameto$50.

Ifyoupaidmoreforsomethingthanitwasworth,youcansay:

Ipaidthroughthenose.

Theyrippedmeoff.

Itwasarealrip-off.

Whenyoudon’tknowtheexactcostorvalueofanobject,youwillhavetocomeupwithanestimateorapproximatevalue.

It’sworthabout/around/approximately/circa/nearly$1,000.

It’sintheneighborhood/intheregionof$1,000.

It’s$1,000giveortake/plusorminus/moreorless.

Aball-parkfigureis$1,000.

Ithasanestimated/approximatevalueof$1,000.

Anestimate/guesstimatewouldbe$1,000.

Weestimateitsvalueataround$1,000.

UseandAvailability

PurposeandUse

Whatdoesthisdo?

What’sthisusedfor?

HowcanIuse/operate/utilizethis?

What’sitspurpose/use/function?

Howdoesitwork/go/operate?

It’sforcuttingmaterial/hammeringnails/storingdata.

Arefrigeratorisusedforkeepingfoodcold/tokeepfoodcold.

Thisproductisdesignedtosavetime.

Itserves/actsasawaterheater/anansweringmachine/acalculator.

Ithasabunchofuselessgimmicks.

Availability

Where/howdidyouget/buyit?

Where’sitsold?

Whereisitavailable?

Who/whichstorecarriesit?

It’ssoldatWalmart/BestBuy/HomeDepot.

Youcanget/buy/orderitonline.

FutureShopcarriesit.

Popularity

Espressomachinesarereally“in.”

AniPhoneisthelatestthing/fashion/rage.

Xistheleadingbrand.

Everybody’sbuyingit.

You’vegottohaveit.

It’sinhighdemand.

Thestorescan’tkeepitinstock/ontheshelves.

MakingComparisonsTherearemanywaystocompareobjects,processes,andfunctions.Notethatthecomparisonsareshowninthefollowingorder:adjective,countnoun,non-countnoun,verb,andadverb.

ExpressingaDifferencewithaPositiveVerb

Aisunlike/differentfrom/differentthan/distinctfrom/dissimilartoB.

AdiffersfromB.

Aisbetter/bigger/cheaper/easiertouse/handiertocarrythanB.

Aismoreadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovativethanB.

Bislessadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovativethanA.

Ahasmorefeatures/functions/uses/advantagesthanB.

Bhasfewerfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesthanB.

Ahasmorecapacity/power/storagespace/valuethanB.

Bhaslesscapacity/power/storagespace/valuethanA.

Acosts/weighs/sells/isworthmorethanB.

Bcosts/weighs/sells/isworthlessthanA.

Asmellsbetter/runsfaster/operatesmoreefficientlythanB.

Bsmellsworse/runsslower/operateslessefficientlythanA.

ExpressingaDifferencewithaNegativeVerb

Bisnotasbig/durable/useful/efficientasA.

Bdoesn’thaveasmanyfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesasA.

Bdoesn’thaveasmuchcapacity/power/storage/valueasA.

Bdoesn’tcost/weigh/sellasmuchasA.

ExpressingSimilarity

Aislike/similarto/equalto/comparableto/thesameas/muchthesameasB.

AandBarealike.

Afunctions/acts/worksinthesamewayasB.

Aisasbig/good/easytouse/advanced/expensiveasB.

Ahasasmanyfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesasB.

Ahasasmuchcapacity/power/storagespace/valueasB.

Acosts/weighs/sells/isworthasmuchasB.

Toemphasizethelackofdifference,wecanaddadverbssuchasjust,exactly,orprecisely.

Examples:Thiscoffeeisjustastastyastheleadingbrand.Ahasexactlyasmanybuilt-infunctionsasB.

ExpressingaSmallDifference

Aisalmostas/nearlyas/isn’tquiteas/big/good/easytouse/advanced/expensiveasB.

Ahasalmostasmany/nearlyasmany/doesn’thavequiteasmanyfeatures/functions/uses/advantagesasB.

Ahasalmostasmuch/nearlyasmuch/doesn’thavequiteasmuchcapacity/power/storagespaceasB.

Acostsalmostasmuchas/nearlyasmuchas/doesn’tcostquiteasmuchasB.

ExpressingaLargeDifference

Aisn’tnearlyasbig/good/easytouse/advanced/expensiveasB.

Aisalot/way/much/farbigger/better/easiertouse/moreadvancedthanB.

Ahasalotmore/manymore/waymorefeatures/functions/usesthanB.

Superlatives

Cisthebest/theworst/biggest/theeasiesttouse/thehandiesttocarry.

Cisthemostadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovative.

Distheleastadvanced/expensive/efficient/innovative.

Chasthefewestfeatures/functions/uses/advantages.

Chastheleastcapacity/power/storagespace/value.

Ccosts/weighs/sells/isworththeleast.

Adverbs

Foremphasisyoucanaddqualifyingadverbssuchas:considerably,definitely,really,byfar.

Examples:RunningshoesAareconsiderablycheaperthanRunningshoesB.PrinterAisdefinitelymorecompactthanPrinterB.CameraAtakesbyfarthebestqualitypictures.MachineAisreallythefastest.

MakingContrasts

Tocompareandshowacontrast,youcanusevariousconnectors:

Co-coordinatingconjunctions:but,yet;Adverbs:nevertheless,nonetheless,however,regardless;Subordinateconjunctions:whereas,while,although,eventhough,though;

Prepositions:despite,inspiteof,unlike;Phrases:ontheonehand,ontheotherhand,incontrast,atthesametime,forallthat.

PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions,but/yetittakesupalotofspace.

PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions;however/nevertheless/nonetheless/regardlessittakesupalotofspace.

Whereas/whilePrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions,ittakesupalotofspace.

Although/eventhoughPrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions,ittakesupalotofspace.

Despite/inspiteofitssize,PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions.

Unlikeotherprintersinitspricerange,PrinterAtakesupalotofspace.

OntheonehandPrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions;ontheotherittakesupalotofspace.

PrinterAhasmanyusefulfunctions.Atthesametimeittakesupalotofspace.

EvaluationsandJudgments

Praise

CameraAisagoodbargain/agooddeal/goodvalueforyourmoney.

CameraAlivesuptoitsname/promise/advertising/reputation.

I’vehadonlygoodexperienceswithCameraA.

CameraAisworththemoney/buying/having.

There’snothinglikeCameraA.

Youcan’tbeatCameraA.

CameraAisbeyondcomparison.

CameraAisthebestmoneycanbuy.

LotionBworkswonders.

Icouldn’tlive/do/managewithoutmylaptop.

Criticism

Thistoasterisarealpieceofjunk/garbage/trash.

MyDVDplayerisalemon/completewasteofmoney.

Thisgadgetservesnousefulpurpose.

AnyproductofCompanyA’sthelastthingI’dbuy/want.

I’vehadnothingbuttroublewiththisscanner.

Mybatterychargerdoesn’tworkworthadarn/damn/hoot.

Thesecheapknivesbelonginthetrash/dump.

Youcanhaveit!

It’slikethrowingyourmoneyoutthewindow.

GivingInstructionsTheeasiestwaytodescribeaprocessistorefertotheoperatingmanual,user ’sguide,manufacturer ’sinstructionsor,inthecaseoffoodpreparation,therecipe.Writteninstructions,however,maynotalwaysbeathand,andeveniftheyare,sometimesguidesarewritteninlanguagethatisn’teasytodecipher.Wheninstructionsanddiagramsareconfusingorambiguous,youmaybeaskedtoassistsomeoneortoexplaintheprocessinmoredetail.

Todescribeaprocessortogiveinstructions,youcandotwothings:

Usecommandformssuchaspress,select,turnthemachineon,etc.

Example:PressENTERtostartanewline.

Usemodalverbssuchashaveto,needto,ortobesupposedto.

Example:Youhaveto/needto/aresupposedtopressENTERtostartanewline.

Asyougoalong,youwillhavetocorrectorconfirmwhatthepersonisdoing,andifthere’sdangerofcreatingabiggerproblem,awordofcautionmightbenecessary.

Questions

WhatdoIdofirst/next/then/afterthat?

WhatamIdoingwrong?

Whydoesn’tthiswork?

Howcomethisdoesn’twork/nothinghappens?

Ican’tfigurethisout/understandthis.

Ican’tseemtogetthistowork.

Thisdoesn’tseemtowork.

Thefollowingexampleshowsphrasesthatyoucanusetogiveinstructionsonhowtorecordavoicemailgreeting.

HowtoBegin

Firstly/firstofall/tostartoff/taptheGreetingbutton.

Thefirst/initialstep/thingistotaptheGreetingbutton.

WhattoDoNext

Thenextstep/thingistotapCustom.

After/followingthattapRecordanddictateyourgreeting.

ThentapRecordanddictateyourgreeting.

NexttapRecordanddictateyourgreeting.Whenyou’vefinishedrecording,tapStopandreviewbypressingPlay.

HowtoFinish

Finally/lastly/attheendtapSave.

Thefinalstep/thingistotapSave.

MakingCorrections

Whenyougivesomeoneinstructions,itissometimesnecessarytocorrectamistakeorgiveawarning.Itisalsoimportanttoletthepersonknowwhenheorsheisdoingtherightthing.

Youhavetobackupastep/togobacktothefirst/laststep.

Gobackandstartagain/over.

Giveitonemore/anothertry/go.

Erase/delete/cancelthatandtryagain/startover.

Let’stryitanothertime.

Youseemtobedoingsomethingwrong.

Caution

Wait/holditasecondbeforeyougoon.

Slowdownandtakeiteasy/takeyourtime.

Make/besuretopressSELECTfirst.

Becarefultoadjustthesetting/nottopressdowntoohardonthefootfeed.

Takecaretoturntheknobgently.

Remember/don’tforgettopressOK.

Confirmation

Good,nowgoontothenext/followingstep.

That’sright/correct/thewaytogo!

That’sit/thewaytodoit!

Nowyou’recookingwithgas!

Nowyou’reontoit.

You’vegotit!

ExpressingEmotions

Confusion

Ican’tfiguretheseinstructionsoutforthelifeofme.

Idon’tknowif/whetherI’mcomingorgoing.

Ican’tmakeheadsortailsofthis.

I’mcompletely/totallylost/atsea.

Thisisovermyhead/beyondme.

Thishasgotmeconfounded/bamboozled.

Frustration

Thisisdrivingmecrazy/upthewall/aroundthebend.

I’matmywit’send/attheendofmyrope.

Idon’thaveaclue/thefaintestideawhattodo.

Ican’tfigureouthowtogetthistowork.

Ijustcan’tgetahandleonthis.

Thishasreallygotmestumped/stymied.

I’vehadituptohere.

I’mfedup/sickandtired.

Wonder

I’mimpressedwiththequality.

I’mamazed/astonished/flabbergasted/blownaway.

Thesoundqualityblowsmeaway/bogglesmymind!

Thedesignknocksmysocksoff!

Wonderswillnevercease.

Holycow/smokes!

Dialogue:TheNewSmartphoneUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Sean:Hey,Paul,checkthisout!Paul:What’veyougotnow?Sean:GetaloadofmynewMangosmartphone.Paul:Wow!IsthattheMango3000z?Man,everybody’stalkingaboutit.Thatmusthavecostyouanarmandaleg.Sean:Well,itwasn’texactlycheap,butit’swortheverypenny.Paul:Isupposeithasallthebellsandwhistles.Sean:Besidesalltheregularcell-phonefeatures,thisbaby’sgotassistedGPS,plusWiFiandmobilebroadbandaccessthat’smuchfasterthanotherphones.AndIcansendandreceivee-mails,pluseditmessages.Paul:Howmanyapplicationscanyourun?Sean:Besidesthestandardbuilt-inappsthatcomewithit,thereareliterallythousandsmoretodownload.Andwhereasmostphonescanonlydoonething

atatime,withtheMangoyoucanrunthird-partyappsandmulti-taskatthesametime.Paul:I’mimpressedbigtime!BycomparisonmymobilelookslikeitcameoutoftheStoneAges.Sean:Takealookatthesmudge-resistantinterface.Allyouhavetodoistouchanapplicationlikethisandthereitis!Paul:Thesleekdesign’sprettycool,too.Sean:Yeah,andit’slightasafeather.Itweighslessthanfiveounces,andisaboutafourthofaninchthicksoit’sdefinitelypocket-size.Andlookatthisfeature.Ifyouwanttotypeamessage,ithasaQWERTY*keyboardsoyoudon’thavetofiddlearoundwithnumberslikeyoudoonanormalcellphone.Paul:Sincewhenareyouintotypingmessages?Sean:Itextallthetime,butofcourseIdon’thavetonow‘cause—andthiswillknockyoursocksoff,buddy—nowIcanmakevideocallsrightfrommyMango.Paul:Howcanyoudothat?Sean:See,ithastwocameras.Oneonthefronthereandtheotherontheback.Sowhatyoudoisgointoyourcontactslistandfindanumber.Thenyoutouchvideocallandbingo.It’seasyaspie.Paul:Getoutofhere!You’resureit’snotjustsomegimmick?Sean:Noway,man.Mangoreallylivesuptoitsname.Andgetthis,Icanrecordmyownvideosandeditthemintomoviesrighthereonmyphone.YouTube,hereIcome.Paul:Sohowareyougoingtodothat?Sean:Well,Ihaven’tfigureditoutyet.Paul:Lookslikethissmartphone’ssmarterthanyouare.Sean:Saystheguywiththefossilphone.

TopicsforPracticeDescribethefollowing:

1.asurround-soundsystem;

2.amicrowaveoven;

3.anMP3player;

4.acamera;

5.asailboat;

6.adishwasher;

7.acar;

8.ablenderorkitchenmachine;

9.apairofrunningshoes;

10.yourdreamhouseorapartment.

Describehowto:

1.sendane-mail;

2.changeacartire;

3.tieanecktie;

4.makecoffee;

5.parallelparkacar;

6.useanATMmachine;

7.makeapizza;

8.recordamovieortelevisionshow;

9.downloadimagesfromadigitalcamera;

10.burnaCD.

Comparethefollowing:

1.aminivanandanSUV;

2.alaptopandadesktopcomputer;

3.awalkingshoeandahikingboot;

4.abicycleandamotorcycle;

5.ahouseandanapartment;

6.apaperbackandane-book;

7.atelevisionandaradio;

8.ascrewdriverandahammer;

9.anappleandanorange;

10.wineandbeer.

VocabularyNotes

* AustraliaandNewZealandalsousethedollarbuthavedifferentcoins.* QWERTYkeyboard:StandardU.S.keyboardshavethelettersQWERTYarrangedonthetopleftrowofkeys,givingititsname.

CHAPTER

ProblemsandAdvice

Objectivestoexplainaproblemandtogiveadvice

toexpresssympathyandunderstanding

Patriciaisgettingmarriedthissummer,andsheandherfiancé,Matthew,willbelivinginSanFrancisco.Patricia’sfuturein-lawshavewelcomedherintotheirfamily,yettoPatriciatheyseemquitereservedincomparisontoherfamilyinMexico,whoaregiventoexpressingtheirfeelingsandopinionsloudlyandopenly.HerEnglishisverygood—orsoeveryonetellsher—andshehasworkedhardtoloseherSpanishaccent,butshewishestherightwordswouldcometohermorenaturally.Whatwillshedoifthereareproblemsormisunderstandingsthatshewill

havetohandleonherown?Andhowcanshebringupaconcernwithouthurtingsomeone’sfeelings?Willshebeabletohelpifsomeoneasksherforadviceorneedsashouldertocryon?Beingthereforothersissomethingsheisusedtoinherculture,andshehopesthatshewillbeabletodothesameforherfuturefamilyandfriends.

Problemscanrangefromtheinconvenienceofamachinethatwon’twork;tocomplaintsabouttheweather,work,orschool;todifficultiesinourrelationshipswithfamily,friends,orcoworkers;toseriousphysical,

emotional,orpsychologicalconditions.Whilesomepeoplearehabitualcomplainers,othersfinditdifficulttoopenupandairtheirgrievances.Inanycasethebestwaytosolveaproblemistotalkaboutit,andinordertogetadvice,youmustknowhowtomakeyourselfunderstood.

Phrases

Openers:What’sWrong?Youdon’tseemtobeyourself.Isanythingwrong/thematter?

Isthereanythingyou’dliketotellme/talkabout?

Whatseemstobewrong/thematter/thetrouble?

What’sbothering/troubling/eatingyou?

What’swrong/thematter/theproblem?

What’sonyourmind?

What’sthestorywithyou?

Whysoglum/downinthemouth?

Anythingbothering/troublingyou?

StatingaProblemApopularsayingadvisesthatwhenlifehandsyoualemon,youshouldmakelemonade.Inotherwords,everyproblemhasasolution,andyoushouldtrytomakethebestofthings.Nevertheless,problemscomeinavarietyofshapesandsizes,andbeforeyoucanarriveatasolution,youhavetoopenup.

NativeEnglishspeakerssometimesask“What’syourproblem?”when

theyobjecttowhatsomeoneisdoing,forexample,whensomeoneislookingatthemorisangryorupsetfornoapparentreason.It’snotreallyaquestion.

PersonalProblems

Ihaven’tbeenfeelingwell/likemyselflately.

I’vebeenfeelingdown/blue/outofsorts/outofit/undertheweather.

I’mjustnotmyselfthesedays.

I’mjustnotuptothings.

I’monedge.

Stress

I’vebeenfeelingreallystressedout/underpressurelately.

I’muptomyneck/myears/myeyeballsinwork.

Ican’thandle/take/dealwithallthispressureanymore.

I’mfeelingoverworked/overtaxed/overwhelmed/burnedout.

Theweddingplansareallgettingtobetoomuch.

Ican’tseemtomanage/handle/dealwith/copewiththingsanymore.

I’mhavingabad/hardtimewithmyassignments.

Thisnewprogramiscausingmealotoftrouble/nothingbutheadaches.

I’mnotgettinganywherewithmycomputercourse.

Ineedsomedowntime/personaltime.

ProblemswithThings

Theremotecontroldoesn’twork/won’twork/doesn’tseemtowork.

Ican’tfigureoutthisansweringmachine.

Ican’tgetthisswitchtowork/todoanything.

Themicrowaveisonthefritz/kaput/apieceoftrash.

Mylaptopjustbitthedust/Mylaptophadthebiscuit.

MoneyMatters

I’malittlehardup/shortonfinances/shortofmoney/outofcashatthemoment.

I’mhavingtroublemakingendsmeet.

I’mbroke.

ComplainingAboutaProblem

I’mreallybothered/annoyed/irritatedabouttheconstructioninthebuilding.

Ihavealotonmyplaterightnow.

I’mhavingahard/roughtimewithmystudies.

I’mnothavinganyluck/successwithmyinvestments.

Ournewworkscheduleisarealnuisance/bother/painintheneck.

Mybiologyclassisakiller/iskillingme.

Thetrafficisgettingonmynerves.

Gettinganextensiononmyvisaisonebighassle.

There’ssomethingIneedtotalkabout/dealwith.

Ineedtogetsomethingoffmychest.

AskingforHelporAdviceAlthoughyoumaynotalwayswanttoadmitit,sometimesyouneedtoaskforhelp.

AskingforConfidentiality

Ihopeyou’llkeepquietaboutthis/keepittoyourself.

Pleasedon’tbreathe/sayawordtoanyone.

Thisisjustbetweenyouandme.

Don’ttellasoul.

Response

Ipromisenottotellasoul/tobreatheaword.

Mylipsaresealed.

Youcantrustme.

Youcanconfideinme.

Mum’stheword.*

IdentifyingtheCauseofaProblem

AskingAbouttheCause

Howlonghasthisbeengoingon/happening?

When/howdidthisstart/happen?

Whathappened/setthingsoff?

What’sbehind/atthebottomofthis?

Howdidthisallcomeabout?

What’sthestory?

What/whocausedtheproblem/wasthecause?

Whosefault/responsibilitywasit?

BlameandResponsibility

It’sallbecauseofamisunderstanding.

Ithappenedbyaccident/allofasudden/withoutwarning.

Itwasanaccident/amishap/unintentional.

It’sallmy/yourfault/mistake/error.

I’mresponsible/guilty/theguiltyparty/theculprit/toblame.

Itakefull/completeresponsibility.

Iblewit/mychance!

Itaketherap.

Iscrewedup.

Blameitonme.

SympathyandUnderstandingWhenafriendoracquaintanceneedsashouldertocryon,youshouldshowconsiderationandunderstanding.

OfferingSympathy

AskingforSympathy

Trytosee/lookatthingsfrommyside/end/pointofview.

IfonlyyouknewhowIfeel.

Putyourselfinmyshoes.

Youhavenoidea.

AdviceandAssistanceSolutionstoproblemscomeintheformofsuggestions,advice,andoffersofassistance.Asuggestionleavesituptothepersontoacceptorrejectyouradvice.Inotherwords,youdon’twanttobeforwardorsteponanyone’stoes.Whatthepersondoeswiththesuggestionisuptohimorher.Advice,ontheotherhand,dealsmoredirectlywithaproblembyofferingaspecificopinionorsolution.

MakingSuggestions

Problem:Johanna’sclassmate,Chiao-Jung,ishomesickandmissesherfamilyinTaiwan.

Theverbstosuggestandtorecommendrequiretheuseofthesubjunctiveandcanbetrickytouse.Thesubjunctivelooksliketheindicative(simplepresent)andisrecognizableonlywhenyouusetheverbtobe,thethirdpersonsingular,orthenegative.

Example:Isuggest/recommendthatyoubeontime/thathegetmoreexercise/thattheynotworry.

Theeasiestwaytogetaroundthesubjunctiveistouseagerund.

Example:Isuggest/recommendbeingontime/gettingmoreexercise/notworrying.

PositiveResponses

Thatjustmightbetheanswer.

Thatmakessense.

Ineverthoughtofthat!

Itneveroccurredtome!

I’llgiveitatry!

Whydidn’tIthinkofthat!

Nowyou’retalking!

Good/greatidea!

Soundsgoodtome!

NegativeResponses

Thatsoundsliketoomuchtrouble/hassle.

It’suseless/pointless/senseless/nouse.

Thanks,butIdon’tthinkthat’sforme.

Thatmakesnosense.

Whatgoodwouldthatdo?

Alotofgoodthatdoes!

I’drathernot.

Youcan’tbeserious!

Areyoukidding/joking?

Noway!

OfferingAdvice

Problem:Moon-Hee’sroommate,Salman,isalwayscomplainingaboutneverhavingenoughmoney.

PositiveResponses

Thanksfortheadvice.

I’llgiveitatry/dothat.

That’sthebestideaI’veheard.

NegativeResponses

Iknowyoumeanwell/yourintentionsaregood,but…

That’seasyforyoutosay.

That’seasiersaidthandone.

Ifonlyitweresoeasy.

OfferingAssistance

Problem:AnelderlycustomeratthecaféwhereMeikoworksseemstohavelostsomething.

PositiveResponses

That’sverykind/thoughtful/considerate/helpfulofyou.

Ireallyappreciateit.

That’dbegreat.

NegativeResponses

Thanks,butI’llbefine/allright.

Icanmanage/doitmyself.

Thanks,butnothanks.

ConfirmingaSuggestion

Isthatokay/allrightwithyou?

Areyouokay/allrightwiththat?*

Howdoesthatworkforyou?

PositiveResponses

That’sokay/allright/finewithme.

Thatworksforme.

Perfect.

Warnings

Problem:HenrikisplanningtotraveldowntheWestCoast,buthedoesn’thavealotofmoneysoheasksJoseifhethinksitwouldbeokaytohitchhike.

Iwouldn’tifIwereyou!

Becareful/bewareof/awareofdangerouspeople.

Don’thitchhikeatnight,oryoumightbesorry.

Hitchhikingalonecouldgetyouintotrouble.

You’dbetternottakeridesfromstrangers/strangepeople.

Justaheads-up:hitchhikingcanbedangerous.

LastResorts

Ifyouasktenpeopleforhelpwithaproblem,youwillprobablygettendifferentsolutions,butthereisnoguaranteethatanyofthemwillwork.Ifyoureallydon’tknowwhattodo,alastresortorextrememeasuremaybeyouronlyoption.

Problem:AlthoughUllahastrieddifferentdiets,shestillcan’ttakeoffthelastfivepoundsshewantstolosebeforeherwedding.

Iftheworse/theworstcomestotheworst/ifpushcomestoshove,youcantryfasting.

Ifnothingelseworks,youcangoonafast.

Youronlyotheralternativeistogoonafast.

Ifallelsefails,youcangoonafast.

Asalastresort,youcangoonafast.

Allthat’sleftistotryfasting.

AppreciationandGratitude

RespondingtoaThank-You

MakingSomeoneAwareofaProblemTherearetimeswhenyoumighthavetheunpleasanttaskofmakinganotherpersonawareofaproblem.Incaseyoumeetwithhostility,orthepersonfeelsthatheorsheisbeingblamedforsomethingthatisnothisorherfault,youwillhavetoapproachthesubjectinamannerthatwillnotoffendtheperson.Dependinguponthegravityofthesituation,youcanchoosebetweenanindirectandadirectapproach.

Problem:Mariagetsalongwellwithhercolleagues,buttheyshareaverysmalloffice,andtheirnewcolleague,Tiffany,isnotverygoodatputtingthingsbackwheretheybelong.

ComplaintsProblem:Saschaistryingtostudy,buthecanhearloudmusiccomingfromhisneighbor ’sapartment.

Responses

Sorry,Ididn’trealizethat/Ididn’tknow/Iwasn’taware.

I’msorry,itwon’thappenagain.

Ididn’tmeantobotheryou.

Really?That’stoobad.

Noproblem/troubleatall.

ReassurancesIfsomeone’sbeenthrougharoughpatchorhasevenlostalovedone,youcanreassurehimorherthateverythingwillbeallrightoroffercomfortorcondolences.

MakingReassurances

Everything’sgoingtobe/toturnoutallright.

Everythingwillworkout,justyouwaitandsee.

Thingshaveawayofworkingthemselvesout.

Believeme,it’sgoingtobeokay/fine.

It’snotasbad/halfasbadasitseems.

You’llbefine/okay/rightasrain.

You’redoingthebestyoucan.

Wecangettothebottomofthis.

CalmingSomeoneDown

There’snothingtoworry/fret/getupsetabout.

Don’tworry/fret/freakout/sweatit.

Don’tloseanysleepoverit.

Don’ttakeittoheart/letitgettoyou.

Don’tgetyourshirtinaknot.

Takeiteasy/slowly.

Calmdown.

Consolations

Theworstisbehindyou.

Thingscouldbealotworse.

You’dbebesttoputitallbehindyou.

You’reoutofthewoodsnow.

Justchalkituptoexperience.

ComfortandCondolences

I’msorryforyourloss.

Mydeepestsympathies/mycondolences.

Myheartgoesouttoyou.

Mythoughtsarewithyou.

I’llbethinkingofyou.

HumoringSomeone

Whenproblemsgetthebetterofyou,oryoumakethembiggerthantheyare,itmaybenecessarytoseethebrightersideofthings.Humorcanoftenbethebestmedicine.If,however,thepersonyou’retryingtohelpismerelyfeelingsorryforhim-orherself,heorshemightneedarealitycheck.

Whatdoesn’tkillyouonlymakesyoustronger.

It’snottheendoftheworld.

Thingsareneverasbadastheyseem.

Somedayyou’lllookbackandlaugh.

You’llgetoveritinnotime.

You’lllive.

Lookonthebrightside.

Lightenup.

Chillout.

PuttingThingsinPerspective

Don’tmakeamountainoutofamolehill.

Don’ttakeitsoseriously/toheart.

Don’tgetcarriedaway.

Howaboutcomingbacktoearth?

Getoverit!

Getreal/agrip!

WhenAdviceIsIgnored

Althoughwemeanwell,sometimespeopledon’ttakeorappeciatetheadvicewegive.

Don’tcomerunningtome.

It’syourbusiness/funeral.

It’suptoyou.

Suityourself.

ReluctanceandAvoidanceDependingonthecircumstances,itisnotalwayseasyordesirabletotalkaboutaproblem.Sometimesyoumaynotcompletelyunderstandwheretheproblemcomesfromoryoumaynotbereadytotalk.

NotKnowingtheSourceoftheProblem

Ihaven’taclue/thefaintestidea/thefoggiestidea.

Ican’tputmyfingeronit.

Idon’tknowwhat’swrong.

Yourguessisasgoodasmine.

Yougotmestumped/beat.

Don’taskme.

Beatsme!

AvoidingaProblem

I’drathernotdiscussit.

Idon’tfeelliketalkingaboutit.

It’snotyourproblem/concern/business.

Idon’tseetheissue/theproblem/what’swrong.

What’sthebigdeal?

Leavemealone.

Letitbe.

Backoff,whydon’tyou?

ExpressingEmotions

WorryandFear

Thisproblemhasmeworried/concerned/upset.

Thatreallyfreaksmeout.

I’mveryworried/concerned/upset/uptight.

I’mabundleofnerves.

I’mjustsickwithworry/fear.

I’mbesidemyself.

I’mafraid/frightened/scared/freakingout.

EmbarrassmentandShame

I’membarrassed/mortifiedaboutmybadmemory.

Icoulddieofshame/embarrassment.

There’snowayIcanshowmyface.

I’mthelaughingstockofourclass.

I’msoashamedofmyself.

Iwishtheearthwouldswallowmeup.

I’vegoteggonmyface.

Anger

I’mreallyangry/mad/furious/tickedoff/pissedoffaboutmymarks.

Myroommatereallyticked/cheesed/pissedmeoff.

Rush-hourtrafficreallybugs/annoys/bothersme.

Whatreallygetsmeisthewaypeopleignoretherules.

Thatrudesaleslady’sattitudeburnsmeup.

I’vehadit/hadituptoherewithlonglines!

I’msoangryatmybrotherIcouldscream!

Mysonisreallypushingmybuttons.

I’mlosingit/flippingout/goingoffthedeepend!

Sadness

I’mfeelingblue/outofsorts/down/downinthedumps/downinthemouth.

Jeanne’sbesideherselfwithgrief.

Gabriel’sbroken-hearted.

Ijustcan’tsnapoutofit.

Ifeelsobad/sosadIcouldcry.

Dialogue:What’stheMatter?Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Jamie:Katie,wanttogooutwiththegang?Katie:I’msorryifIsoundlikeapartypooperbutI’mjustnotinthemood.Jamie:Yousurehaven’tbeenyourcheeryselflately.Isanythingthematter?Katie:Well,eversinceourbossannouncedthatthecompany’supforsale,everybody’sonedge,includingme.Jamie:Icanunderstandthat.Nobodylikesuncertainty,that’sforsure.

Katie:Especiallywhenyoumightendupwithoutajob.Jamie:That’sreallytoobad.So,what’sthestory?Katie:It’sallbecausethemanagementgotcarriedawayandtookontoomuchdebt.Jamie:Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?Katie:Forsometimeasitturnsout.I’mworriedsickaboutmyjobandfuriousatthesametime.Jamie:Well,ifIwereyou,Iwouldn’tfreakout.Withyourqualifications,youshouldn’thaveanytroublefindinganotherjob.Katie:ButIdon’twantanotherjob.AndJamie,thisisjustbetweenyouandme.Jamie:Iwon’tbreatheaword.AndKatie,don’tworry.Thingsalwayshaveawayofworkingout.Katie:That’seasyforyoutosay.It’snothappeningtoyou.Jamie:Iguesslifejustneverisabowlofcherries.Katie:You’retellingme.Itseemslikeeverything’shappeningatonce.Jamie:Why,issomethingelsewrong?Katie:Yeah,I’mhavingtroublewithmystupidcar,andIcan’treallyaffordanybigrepairsrightnow.Jamie:Iknowareasonablemechanic.HowaboutifIhavehimtakealook?Katie:Thanks,Jamie,butwhat’stheuse?Jamie:OrIcouldlendyousomemoneyifyou’dlike.Katie:WhatgoodwouldthatdowhenIalreadyoweenoughonmycreditcards?Jamie:Well,ItriedbutIguessI’mnoDoctorPhil,*amI?Katie:You’reagoodshouldertocryon,andIreallyappreciateit,Jamie.Look,whydon’tyougooutwithoutme?Jamie:Whatfunwouldthatbe?Anyway,nowthatyou’vegotafewthingsoffyourchest,Istillthinkit’ddoyougoodtotakeyourmindoffeverything.Katie:How?Withicecream?Afeel-goodmovie?Somefreshair?Jamie:Itellyouwhat.Let’swalkovertothevideostoreandstopforicecreamonthewayback.Katie:Now,you’retalking.Ifeelbetteralready.

TopicsforPracticeTalkaboutarecentproblemyou’vehad:

1.atworkorschool;

2.withyourhealthorphysicalfitness;

3.withyourfamilyorfriends;

4.withyourcarorcomputer;

5.withmoney;

6.thatwascausedbyamistakeoranaccident;

7.thatyouneededhelpwith;

8.thatyouwereabletosolveonyourown;

9.thatwasn’tasbadasitseemed;

10.thatyouwereworriedabout.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetosomeonewho:

1.wantstostopsmoking;

2.isunhappyatworkorschool;

3.hasgainedtoomuchweight;

4.hadafightordisagreementwithafriendorlovedone;

5.wantstomakefriendsinanewcityortown;

6.hastroublesavingmoney;

7.ishomesick;

8.isupsetbecauseheorshedidn’tgetajobheorshereallywanted;

9.isnervousaboutflying;

10.oftenhasbadheadaches?

VocabularyNotes

* ABritishslangexpressionmeaning“don’tsayaword”or“keepyourlipssealed.”*Saying“Areyouokay/allright”meansthatyouareaskingaboutsomeone’shealth.* Dr.PhilMcGrawisapopulartelevisionpersonality,psychologist,andauthorwhoisknownforhisfrankadvice.

CHAPTER

DecisionsandGoals

Objectivestoexploreoptionsandtalkaboutdecisions

tomakeplansandsetschedules

tosetgoalsandrecognizeachievements

WhenPavelemigratedfromRussiatotheUnitedStatestwoyearsago,heparticipatedinanintermediateEnglishcoursefornew-comers.Headjustedquicklytohisnewenvironment,and,becauseofhisbackground,hewashiredbyanengineeringcompanywithstrongbusinesstiesinEasternEurope.Pavelreadsextensivelytobroadenhisvocabulary,andinhissparetimehe

playssquashandsocceratalocalsportsclub.HeiscomfortablespeakingEnglishonaneverydaybasisandhaslittletroubletranslatingfromEnglishintohisnativeRussianwhennecessary.Hismainconcernisthathewon’tbeabletoparticipateconfidentlyinthekindofplanning,goalsetting,anddecision-makingforwhichhisteamisresponsible,andheworriesthathislanguageskillsmightnotliveuptohisprojectleader’sexpectations.

Onceyouhavedefinedaproblem,asinChapter5,youwillneedtomakedecisionsaboutthethingsyouwanttobuyoracquire;thechangesyouintendtomakeatwork,school,orhome;orthegoalsyou

hopetoachievethroughfutureendeavors.Whileyouaresometimesfacedwithmakingdecisionsandplansonyourown,mostfrequentlyyourconversationswillincludefamily,friends,orcoworkerswhoseinputyouneedtotakeintoconsideration.

Phrases

Openers:WhatAreWeGoingtoDo?Weneedtomakeadecision/todosomethingabouttheproblem/situation/issue.

Whatareouroptions/choices/alternatives/possibilities?

Whatchoice/option/alternative/solutiondowehave?

Whatcanwedoaboutthissituation/issue/problem?

Howdoesthisappeal/soundtoyou?

Howcanwegoaboutthis?

Thesituationcallsforadecision.

OptionsandAlternativesOnceyouhaveidentifiedtheissues,youcangoaboutexploringyouroptions.Hopefullyyoucanmakeachoice,butsometimesyoumayfindthatunderthecircumstancesyouhavenochoiceatall.

Situation:MariaandPabloneedasecondcar.Althoughthey’dliketobuyabrandnewone,theycan’taffordto,andtheydon’treallywanttogointodebt.

Options

Wecouldalwaysbuyausedcar.

Oneoption/choice/possibilitywouldbetobuyausedcar.

Perhaps/maybeweshouldconsider/lookatbuyingausedcar.

Wouldn’titbesmartertobuyausedcar?

Wecouldkeepausedcarinmind.

Alternatives

Ratherthan/insteadofbuyingausedcar,wecouldleaseanewone.

Asanalternative/alternativelywecouldleaseanewcar.

Anotheroption/choicewouldbetoleaseanewcar.

NoChoice

Wehavenoalternative/choice/optionbuttowaitandsaveourmoney.

Ouroptionsarelimitedtowaitingandsavingourmoney.

Wecan’tdoanythingexceptwaitandsaveourmoney.

Ouronlyoption/choice/possibilityistowaitandsaveourmoney.

Thebestwecandoatthispointiswaitandsaveourmoney.

ReasonsandPurposeBeforeyoucanmakeadecisionorsetagoal,youneedtoclarifythereasonsbehindyoursituationanddeterminethepurposeyourcourseofactionwillserve.

Situation:Maximilianwouldliketoapplyforamorechallengingjob,butthecompanieshe’sinterestedinprefercandidateswhoarefluentinbothspokenandwrittenEnglish.

StatingaReason

Because/sincecompaniesarelookingforcandidatesfluentinEnglish,IneedtoimprovemyEnglish.

Becauseof/duetoacompetitivejobmarket,IneedtoimprovemyEnglish.

CompaniesarelookingforfluentspeakersofEnglish.Asaresult/consequently/thereforeIhavetoimprovemyEnglish.

ThereasonIneedtoimprovemyEnglishisthatcompaniesarelookingforfluentspeakers.

Mymotivation/incentiveforimprovingmyEnglishisabetterjob.

StatingaPurpose

I’mgoingtotheUnitedStatesfor*Englishlessons/togetmoreexperience.

I’mgoingtotheUnitedStatesso/sothatIcanimprovemyEnglish.

I’mgoingtospendayearintheUnitedStatesto/inorderto/soastoimprovemyEnglish.

I’mgoingtotheUnitedStatesforayearbecauseIwanttoimprovemyEnglish.

Thepurposeof/thepointingoingtotheUnitedStatesistoimprovemyEnglish.

AskingAboutReasonsorPurpose

WhyareyougoingtotheUnitedStatesforayear?

WhatareyougoingtotheUnitedStatesfor?

What’sbehindyourgoingtotheUnitedStates?

Howcomeyou’regoingtotheUnitedStates?*

WhatareyourreasonsforgoingtotheUnitedStates?

WhatreasondoyouhaveforgoingtotheUnitedStates?

WhatpurposewillgoingtotheUnitedStatesserve?

What’syourmotivation/purpose/incentiveingoingtotheUnitedStates?

AdvantagesandDisadvantagesMakingdecisionsinvolvesnotonlymakingcomparisonsandcontrasts,asoutlinedinChapter4,butalsotakingagoodlookattheadvantagesanddisadvantageseachchoicehastooffer.

Situation:ErikoandMun-Jungarelivingwithahomestayfamilyinthesuburbs.Althoughtheygetalongwiththeirhosts,theywouldlikemoreprivacyandindependencesothey’rethinkingaboutmovingtoanapartmentdowntown.

Advantages

Theadvantages/benefits/merits/assetsofdowntownareitscentrallocationandconvenience.

Theprosarelocationandconvenience.

Theconvenienceofdowntowncanbeablessing/abonus.

Astrongpoint/goodthingisthecentrallocation.

Downtown’scentrallocationandconvenienceareadvantageous/beneficial/favorable.

Ontheplus/positiveside/upsidedowntowniscentralandconvenient.

Thecentrallocationandconveniencespeakfordowntown.

Wecanbenefit/profitfromtheconvenientlocation.

Theconvenientlocationcouldworkinourfavor.

Disadvantages

Thedisadvantages/drawbacks/liabilitiesofdowntownarethe

expensiverentsandthenoiseatnight.

Theconsaretheexpensiverentsandthenoiseatnight.

Thenoiseatnightcanbeacurse.

Aweakpoint/badthingistheexpensiverents.

Ontheminus/negativeside/downsidetherentsdowntownaremoreexpensiveandthere’smorenoiseatnight.

Theexpensiverentsandthenoiseatnightspeakagainstdowntown.

AddingInformation

Inaddition/additionally/ontopofthat,wewouldhavetospendlessonpublictransportationifweliveddowntown.

Furthermore/moreoverwe’dhavetospendlessonpublictransportation.

We’dalsospendlessonpublictransportation.

Notonlywouldwebeclosertoshopping,butwe’dspendlessonpublictransportation.

Alongwith/aswellasspendinglessonpublictransportation,we’dbeclosertoshopping.

MakingaDecisionAccordingtoSophocles,quickdecisionsareunsafedecisions,whichiswhydecision-makingisoneofthemostdifficultthingsyouhavetodo,especiallywhenitconcernsyourhealth,welfare,andmoney.Oftenyoumightprefertoavoidordelaytheprocess,butfindyoucan’twhenyouarefacingurgentmatters.Decisionscaninvolvealongandpainfulprocessofpersuasion,compromise,commitment,consensus,andverification,especiallywhenotherpeopleareinvolved.Inthiscase,youmaybecalledupontomakepromisesasasignthatyouwillholdupyourendofthebargain.Seeingadecisionthroughalsorequiresconsiderabledeterminationtoreachadealthateveryonecanlivewith.

Persuasion

Urgency

Thisisimportant/urgent/critical/highpriority.

Thisisofutmostimportance.

Thisisanemergency.

It’samatteroflifeanddeath.

Wecan’twaitonthis.

There’snotimetohesitate/towaste/tofoolaround.

Thesituationhasreachedcriticalmass.

Compromise

I’msurewecanwork/figuresomethingout.

Wecanfind/workoutacompromise.

Let’smeethalfway/inthemiddle.

Weneedsomegiveandtake/someleeway/someroomtomoveonthis.

Wecantrytofindahappymedium.

CheckingandVerifying

Canwegooverthisagain?

Canyourunthatpastmeagain?

Iseverybodyonthesamepage?

Doweseeeyetoeye?

Ineedtocheckthatoncemore.

Let’swalkthroughthisagain.

DefiningaDecisivePoint

Inthefinalanalysis,itismoneythatmakesthedifference.

Whenitcomesrightdowntoit,it’sallaboutmoney.

Whenall’ssaidanddone,it’samatterofmoney.

Anywayyoulookatit,it’sthemoneythatdecides.

Itallcomesdown/boilsdowntomoney.

Thecruxofthematterismoney.

Italldependsonmoney.

Attheendoftheday,it’sallaboutmoney.

StatingaDecision

I’vedecidedtotakeoutaloan/decidedontakingoutaloan.

I’vemadeadecisiontoquitmyjobandgobacktoschool.

I’vetakenthefirststeptowardsellingmyhouse.

I’vemadeupmymindtorepaintthelivingroom.

I’veoptedforalifeinsurancepolicy.

I’llhavethesteakandlobster.

Thisisthedeal.

AskingforaCommitmentorConsensus

Who’sforit/infavor?

DoIhaveyoursupport/agreement?

CanIcountyouinonthis?

Areyouapartofthis?

Areyouokaywiththis?

MakingaCommitment

Youcanbank/countonme.

I’minonthis/infavorofthis.

I’llgoalongwiththat.

I’llback/supportyoualltheway.

I’mbehindyou100percent/alltheway.

Youhavemyvote/pledge/commitment.

Promises

Ipromise/sweartosticktoourdecision/agreement.

Igiveyoumyword/wordofhonor/promise.

Iwillabidebyourdecision/deal/agreement.

Iwillkeepmyendofthebargain.

Youcanholdmetoit.

Iwon’tgobackonit.

Crossmyheartandhopetodie.

Adeal’sadeal.

Determination

Youcan’ttalkmeoutofthis/changemymind/stopme.

There’snothingmoretodiscuss.

I’mnotmoving/budginganinchonthis.

Mymind’sset/madeup.

I’mstickingtomyguns/withit.

I’mdoingthiscomehellorhighwater.

It’sadonedeal.

That’sit/final.

IndecisionandHesitationSometimesthebestdecisionmaybenodecision:ifyoucan’tsay“yes,”youhavetosay“no.”Whileindecisioncanappeartobeprocrastination,waitinguntilthetimeisrightcanshowprudence.

Indecision

You’restraddling/sittingonthefence.

You’rewavering/seesawing/hemmingandhawing.

Ijustdon’tknow.

I’mnotsureaboutthat.

Ican’tsayonewayortheother.

Ican’tmakeupmymind.

Idon’tknowwhereIstand.

It’sdebatable.

HesitatingandDelay

Ineedtosleeponit/thinkitover/mullitover/giveitsomemorethought.

Maybeweshouldtakeourtime/waitandsee.

I’mhavingsecondthoughts/gettingcoldfeet.

Weshouldlookbeforeweleap.

Let’skeepitonthebackburner.

Let’snotmakeanyhastydecisions/moves.

Tomorrow’sanotherday.

SettingSchedulesandDeadlinesItisusualtoattachatimelinetoadecision;thatis,youneedtosetatimeordeadlineforwhenactionshavetobeginorbecompleted.

AskingAboutDeadlines

What’sourtimeline/timehorizon/timeframe?

Arewetalkingshorttermorlongterm?

What’sthedeadlineonthis?

Whatarewelookingattime-wise?

When’sthefirstpaymentdue?

Whendoestheofferexpire?

Howsoondowehavetoknow?

Bywhen/whattimedoestheprojecthavetobecompleted?

SettingaDate

Wecanplan/schedulethatfortomorrow/nextweek.

I’llpencilthatinforTuesdayafternoon/Apriltenth.

Let’ssetadatefortheparty.

I’llmakeanoteofitforFriday.

Asuitable/convenienttimewouldbesometimenextweek.

TheassignmenthastobeinonMonday.

Weneedadecisionby2:00/Friday/nextweekatthelatest.

Thepaymentwillbe/comedueonthefifteenth.

FutureTime

tomorrow/tomorrowmorning/afternoon/evening/night

nextweek/month/year

thedayaftertomorrow/theweekafternext

thefollowingThursday/week/month

infiveminutes/twohours/fivedays/threemonths/tenyears

fiveminutes/hours/fivedays/threemonths/tenyearsfromnow

by9:00/Thursday/nextFriday/October/2025

GoalsandPlansSettinggoalsandformulatingplansareanintegralpartofdecision-making.Goalsnotonlyguideyouractions,buttheintentiontoachievethemcanmotivateanddriveyou.

AskingAboutShort-TermPlans

Whatareyouplanningtodoforthesummer?

Whatareyoudoingontheweekend?

Whatdoyouhaveinmindforyourhoneymoon/aftergraduation?

Whatareyougoingtodoaboutajob?

Areyoudoinganythingafterschool?

Got/haveanyplansfornextyear?

Short-TermPlans

I’mplanning/hopingtotraveldowntheWestCoast.

We’rethinkingaboutbuildingahouse.

I’mgoingtomovetoanislandforthesummer.

Iintendtorenovatemycondo.

AskingAboutLong-TermGoals

Whatareyourprofessionalgoals/objectives/aims/targets/ambitions?

Whatgoals/objectivesdoyouwanttoreachinyourlife?

Whatdoyouhopetoachieve/accomplishincollege?

Wheredoyouwanttobeprofessionally/personallyinfiveyears?

Whatareyouaimingtodoinyourcareer/inyourprivatelife?

Wheredoyouseeyourself/yourbusiness/infiveyears?

StatingGoalsandPlans

Mygoal/aim/objection/dream/ambitionistostartmyownbusiness.

Ihope/aspiretowriteabook.

Iplantosail/planonsailingaroundtheworldsomeday.

Idreamofretiringattheageofforty.

It’smydreamtoclimbMountEverest.

I’mstrivingtomakeamilliondollars/I’maimingforamilliondollars.

Ourtargetistoretireearlyandtravelaroundtheworld.

IhavemysightssetonanOlympicgoldmedal.

I’msetonmakingadocumentary.

MyNewYear’sresolutionistostopsmoking.

Encouragement,Recognition,andCongratulations

Whenafriendorfamilymemberisstartingoutonanewundertaking,youcansupportthemwithwordsofencouragement,recognition,andcongratulations.

Encouragement

You’vegotwhatittakestowintherace!

Youcanhandle/doit!

Youwerecutoutforthis!

Goon,giveitatry/ago/yourbestshot!

Don’tbeafraid/giveup/quitnow.

Keepyourchinup!

Knockyourselfout!

Neversaynever!

Breakaleg!*

Goforit!

RespectandRecognition

Ifithadn’tbeenforyou,wewouldn’thavebeensuccessful.

Weallthinkveryhighlyofyou.

Wetakeoffourhatstoyou.

Ihavetohandittoyou.

Thecreditisallyours.

You’vemadeagreatcontribution.

Youhaveourrespect.

Respect!

Hatsoff!

Congratulations

ExpressingEmotionsMakingadecisioncaninvolveyourheartaswellasyourhead,soitisusefultoknowtherightwordstoexpressemotionssuchashope,anticipation,doubt,regret,anddisappointment.

Hope

Ihope/praytoGodI’llbeacceptedintomedicalschool.

I’mhopeful/optimistic/positiveaboutgettingagoodjob.

Itrustthateverythingwillworkoutforyou.

Ihavehighhopesforourchildren/thatourchildrenwillgotocollege.

Hopefully/Godwilling/withanyluckwe’llmakeaprofitonthesale.

I’dliketothinkthatmykidswilldowellincollege.

I’llkeepmyfingerscrossedforyou.

Anticipation

Ican’twaittotakesailinglessons.

I’mreallylookingforwardtogradschool/togoingtogradschool.

I’mallwoundupaboutmynewjob.

I’monpinsandneedles(feelingnervous).

He’sraringtogo.

He’seagerasabeaver.

Doubt

Ihaveserious/grave/naggingdoubtsaboutputtingourhouseupforsale.

We’rehavingsecondthoughtsaboutputtingourhouseonthemarket.

I’mnotconvincedaboutthisexerciseprogram/thatthisexerciseprogramistheanswer.

Idoubtthatwe’llsellourhouse.

Iwonderaboutputtingourhouseupforsalerightnow.

I’mnotsure/certainaboutsellingourhouseinthepresentmarket.

Idon’tknowif/whetherweshouldsellourhouse.

Weshallsee.

Regret

HadIknown/ifI’dknownthatthelaptopwasgoingonsale,I’dhavewaitedtobuyit.

IwishIhadthoughtofapplyingforavisaearlier.

Iregretnotputtingmoreeffortintomystudiesatschool.

I’msorryaboutwastingmymoney.

NexttimeI’llbemorecareful.

Icouldkickmyself.

Disappointment

Iwasreallylookingforwardtotheyogaclass/takingtheyogaclass.

Ihadmyheart/mindsetongettingapromotion.

Theexhibitionletmedown.

Mypartnerleftmeinthelurch.

I’mcrushed/devastated/blownaway.

Ihadmyhopesup.

Dialogue:AToughDecisionUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Gina:Areyoudoinganythingthisweekend,Josh?Josh:Nothingexciting.Thedeadlineforcommunitycollegeregistrationisapproachingfast,andIstillhaven’tmadeupmymindwhichcoursetotake.Gina:Whatareyouroptions?Josh:Well,I’vebeendebatingwhethertotakeacourseonhowtobuildabasicwebsiteoroneonpersonalfinancialfundamentals.Gina:That’satoughchoice.Iguessitallboilsdowntowhichonemeetsyourgoals.Josh:Mylong-termgoalistostartupmyownbusiness.Gina:Goodforyou!Josh:TheadvantageofbeingabletobuildyourownwebsiteisthatIcangetmyselfoutthereontheInternet.Gina:Forsure.There’ssomuchyoucandoontheweb.Afriendofminesellsthejewelryshemakesonline,andshe’sdoinggreat.Josh:Ontheotherhand,Ineedtoknowhowtomanagemyfinances.Gina:Hmm.Soundslikesixofone,andhalfadozenoftheother.Josh:I’veevenconsideredtakingbothcoursesatthesametime.Gina:You’reabrightguy,Josh.Goforit!Josh:Thedownside,however,isI’dhavetoforkoutalotofmoneyatonce.I’mnotamillionaireyet.Gina:Isupposegoingintodebtinordertolearnhowtomanageyourmoneywouldbedefeatingthepurpose.Thereisn’tacompromise,isthere?Josh:No,it’soneortheother.Anyway,enoughaboutme.Gotanyplansyourself?Gina:Yeah,guesswhat?IenrolledintheHerbalStudiesCertificateProgram.Josh:Howcome?Ithoughtyouintendedtogotomedschool.Gina:Myparentshavetheirheartsetonmebecomingadoctor,butholistichealingandalternativetherapyaremoreupmyalley.Andthegoodthingaboutthecourseisit’sreallyhands-on.Icanhardlywait!Josh:IwishIwasasenthusiastic.Anddecisive.ThemoreIthinkaboutittheharderitgets.Gina:Maybeyoushouldn’tthinkaboutitsomuch.Josh:Yeah,butIdon’twanttomakeadecisionI’llregret.

Gina:Inanycase,youhavetotrustyourself,listentoyourinnervoice.Josh:RightnowallIhearfromtheinsideismystomachgrowling.Gina:Then,let’sgotomyfamily’srestaurant.Mygrandpaalwayssaidnevermakeaharddecisiononanemptystomach.Josh:Soundslikeawiseman.Washeajudge?Gina:No,acook.Hestartedthebusiness.

TopicsforPracticeTalkaboutarecentdecisionyou’vemade:

1.aboutworkorschool;

2.aboutaholidayortrip;

3.aboutyourmoney;

4.abouthowyouvotedinthelastelection;

5.aboutsomethingyouwantedorneededtobuy;

6.thatwasverydifficulttomake;

7.thatwasveryeasytomake;

8.thatinvolvedyourfriendsorfamily;

9.thatrequiredyoutodosomeresearch;

10.thatyouregretorwishyoucouldchange.

Talkaboutyourgoalsorplans:

1.foryourcareerorjob;

2.foryourfamily;

3.foryournextvacation;

4.foryourhealth;

5.foryourretirement;

6.forateam,club,ororganizationyoubelongto;

7.forthenextfive/ten/twentyyears;

8.tochangesomethinginyourlife;

9.todosomethingyou’vealwaysdreamedof;

10.tolearnsomethingyou’veneverhadtimefor.

VocabularyNotes

* Forisfollowedbyanoun,whereastointhecaseofexpressingpurposeisnotapreposition,buttheinfinitiveformofaverb:todo/tobe/tolearn,etc.* WhenyouaskaquestionbeginningwithHowcome,youdonotinvertthesubjectandverb.* Thisexpressionoriginatedinthetheaterandmeans“goodluck!”

PART2PhrasesforDiscussions

“Ouropinionsdonotreallyblossomintofruitionuntilwehaveexpressedthemtosomeoneelse.”

—MarkTwain

CHAPTER

Opinions

Objectivestoexpressyouropinionandtoaskothersfortheiropinions

toagreeordisagreewithanopinion

tosupportanopinionwithfacts,statistics,andexamples

Marie-ClairehasbeenacceptedintoagraduateprogramataU.S.universitywhereshewillcontinueherjournalismstudies.Sheiswellawareofhowdifficultitwillbetomakeherwayinsuchacompetitivefieldastelevisionjournalism.Evenifshe’sluckyenoughtolandajobinhernativecountryofFrance,shewillnotgoasfarasshehopestoinaglobalenvironmentwithoutadvancedEnglishskills.WhilestillinschoolMarie-Claireattendedintensivesummercoursesin

EnglandandtraveledwidelywithherfamilythroughoutEurope.Shehasbecomeacompetenttranslator,butgoodacademicskillsarenotenoughforher.Inordertoparticipateinresearchprojects,toconductinvestigativeinterviews,tomakeconvincingargumentsinbothspeakingandwriting,andtoexchangeandchallengeopinionsindiscussionsofcurrentaffairs,Marie-ClairemustmasteridiomaticphrasesandemploythemwiththeeaseofanativeEnglishspeaker.

Everyonehasanopinion,andinculturesthatvaluefreedomofspeechpeoplevoicetheiropinionsonanarrayofsubjectsrangingfromthetrivial(theweather,traffic)tomoreserioustopics(education,health)to

controversialissues(globalwarming,capitalpunishment,stem-cellresearch).Givinganopinioncanbeeasy,particularlyifyou“jumponthe

bandwagon”andechopopularpublicopinionorrepeatviewsyouhearorreadinthenews,ontelevision,orathome.Beingabletoexpressaninformedopinionandtomakeaconvincingargumentsupportedbyfactsisasignificantachievementinasecondlanguage.

Phrases

Openers:AskingforanOpinionWhatdoyouthinkaboutthecity’splantoreplacetheoldbridge?

Whatdoyoumakeofthenewcafeteria?

What’syouropinionof/ontheschool’sfoodservices?

What’syourview/take/stand/positiononthechangestoourcurriculum?

Wheredoyoustandondrunk-drivinglaws?

Howdoyoufeelabouttherecentweather?

What’syourreactiontothePresident’sspeech?

I’dliketohearwhatyouthinkabouttheeducationsystem.

I’dlikeanhonestopiniononmypresentation.

StatinganOpinionAnopinioncanbestatedinapersonalwaybyshowingpersonalownership—

thatis,itisyouropinionandyouwanttostressthat.Youcanalsogiveanopinionintheformofanimpersonalstatementbyputtingforwardwhatsomeoneshouldorshouldn’tdoaboutaparticularissue.

LookattheLetterstotheEditororeditorialsinyourlocalnewspapertoseehowpeopleexpresstheirviewsoncurrentissues.

Ithink/feel/believe/findthattheoldbridgeshouldberepairedinsteadofreplaced.

Isupport/favor/advocate/standfor/opposeelectronicsurveillance.

I’mconvincedthatgunsdon’tbelonginpeople’shomes.

I’mfor/against/opposedtouniversalhealthcare.

Myopinion/position/stand/viewpointonspankingisthatitshouldbeaparent’sright.

Inmyopinion/viewsmokingshould/shouldn’tbeallowedinrestaurantsandbars.

Frommypointofview/perspectivebullyinginschoolshouldn’tbetolerated.

AsfarasI’mconcernedthecityshould/shouldn’tsetupaneedleexchangedowntown.

Ifyouaskme,thepriceofgasolineisoutrageous.

ThewayIlookatitsportshasbecometoomuchlikeabusiness.

AsIseeit/thewayIseethingsgoodmannersshouldbetaughtinschool.

Itseems/appearstomethatchildrenarelosingtouchwithnature.

Someone/theyshoulddosomethingabouthomelessness.

Thefollowingisalistofadverbsthatcanaddstrengthorconvictiontoyouropinions:

absolutely/completely/entirely/firmly/fullydefinitely/forsure/withoutadoubt

frankly/honestly/personallystrongly/unequivocally

Examples:Ifirmlybelievethatallchildrenshouldbegivenequaleducationalopportunities.

Withoutadoubtthecityneedsamoreefficientpublic-transportationsystem.

Westronglysupportzerotolerancefordrinkinganddriving.

ValueJudgmentsValuejudgmentsarebiasedopinionsbasedonpersonalbeliefsratherthanfactsorreliableinformation.Usuallyvaluejudgmentsarestatementsofwhatisgoodorbad,andtheyarecoloredbyculturalorreligiousbackground,individualpreferences,andexperiences.Becausepeoplecannotbeobjectiveandrationalallofthetime,theyoftenmakevaluejudgmentsandtakethemforinformedopinions.

Valuejudgmentstellusmoreaboutthepersonwhomakesthemthanthesubjectheorsheisdiscussing.Althoughitisdifficultnottomakevaluejudgments,youshouldavoidtheminformaldiscussionsanddebateswhereobjectivityandrationalthinkingarerequired.

Examples:Jonathanisthebestteacherintheschool.Drinkingtoomuchalcoholisbadforyou.SoccerhooligansareabunchofNeanderthals.

GeneralizationsAswellasavoidingvaluejudgments,youshouldbecarefulnottomakehastyorsweepinggeneralizations.Forexample,itisasweepinggeneralizationto

saythat,becauseawomancausedanaccident,allwomenarebaddrivers,whenthereareofcoursemanywomenwhoareexcellentdrivers.

Inordertobevalid,generalstatementsmustbesubstantiatedbyrepeatedexperienceandacceptedascommonknowledge.

Everyoneknows/itiscommonknowledgethatobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.

Ingeneral/generallyspeakingobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.

Obesityusually/generally/commonly/moreoftenthannotincreasestheriskofheartdisease.

Asaruleobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.

Obesitytendstoincreasetheriskofheartdisease.

Inthemajorityofcasesobesityincreasestheriskofheartdisease.

AgreeingandDisagreeing

AskingforAgreement

Whichopiniondoyousupport/sidewith/agreewith?

Whichsideoftheargumentareyouon?

Whatdoyousaytothat?

Whodoyouagreewith?

Doyouagree/disagree?

Doyouconcurornot?

Doyouseeitmyway?

Areweinagreement?

Areyouwithme?

Agreeing

Disagreeing

Indifference

Idon’tknowwhattomakeofthewholeissue.

Itdoesn’tmattertomeonewayortheother.

It’ssixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother.

It’snotworthgettingexcitedabout.

It’sallthesametome.

Icouldn’tcareless.

SupportinganOpinionAconvincingargumentrequiresthesupportoffacts,figures,andexamples.Otherwise,anunfoundedopinioncancomeacrossinadiscussionasbias,prejudice,orjusthotair.

Afactissomethingthatisdefinitelyknowntobetrue.Withoutthesupportoffacts,anopinionisneithersubstantiatednorconvincing.Becarefultodistinguishbetweenprovenandprobablefacts:

Provenfactsareacceptedandindisputable.

Example:Theearthrevolvesaroundthesun.

Probablefactssoundreasonableandareprobablytrue,buthaven’tbeenproven.

Example:TheMinisterofHealthreportedinhisspeechlastnightthatthegovernmenthasspent30percentmoreonhealthcarethisyear.

Anotherdangeristhatyoucanprobablyfindasmanyfactstoopposeanargumentasyoucantosupportit.Ascientificstudymaybeconvincing,butasyoucontinuallyhearinthenews,researcherscomeupwithnewfindingsthatcancontradictpreviousresults.Intheend,youhavetouseyourjudgmentandcommonsense.

Comparethepreviousvaluejudgmentsinthischapterwiththefollowingfacts:

JonathanhasaBachelorofEducationdegreeand15yearsofteachingexperience.

Asmallamountofalcoholcanimpairpeople’sjudgmentandslowtheirreactiontime.

FIFAhastakendrasticmeasurestocontrolaggressivebehavioramonggroupsoffansatsoccermatches.

Facts

It’sclear/obvious/evidentthattheInternethasbecomeamajorsourceofinformation.

Asamatteroffact/infactInternetuseisgrowingworldwide.

ThefactisthattheInternetisapartofourdailylife.

Clearly/obviouslypeopleusetheInternetmoreandmore.

There’snodoubtthattheInternetwillcontinuetogrowinimportance.

I’dliketopointoutthatwithouttheInternet,communicationwouldbeslower.

FiguresandStatisticsSomefacts,suchastherelationshipbetweenobesityandheartdisease,canbeself-evident;thatis,theydonotrequireadetailedexplanationtoprovetheirvalidity.Nevertheless,figuresandstatisticscanbeusefulwhenyouwanttomakeastrongcasefororagainstanissue.Becausestudiesarebeingconductedonanongoingbasis,besuretoquotethemostrecentandreputableones.

FactsThatExpressNumbersandCosts

Theaverageworldpenetrationofmobilecellphoneusestandsat96.2%.

About13countriesstilldonothaveaccesstotheInternet.

About8.6percent/nearlyone-tenthofInternetusersarelocatedintheUnitedStates.

InEurope8outof10peopleusetheInternet.*

Patientswithanalcoholproblemarenearlyfivetimesmorelikelytodieinmotorvehiclecrashes,16timesmorelikelytodieinfalls,and10timesmorelikelytobecomefireorburnvictims.

Americansaresubjectto$4billionworthofalcoholmarketingeachyear.

In2002,alcoholaccountedformorethan$14.5billioninmedicalcosts,or$463percapita,inCanada.**

FactsConcerningTrendsandChanges

Theyears2002,2003,and2007wererelativelyhighdroughtyears,while2001,2005,and2009wererelativelylowdroughtyears.

Carbondioxideaccountsfor/makesupapproximately80percentofthisincrease.

Greenhousegasemissionsincreasedby17percentfrom1990–2007.

Theprevalenceofextremesingle-dayprecipitationeventsremainedfairlysteadybetween1910andthe1980s,buthasrisensubstantiallysincethen.

Many,butnotall,humansourcesofgreenhousegasemissionsareexpectedtoriseinthefuture.

WhenexaminingtheentireACEIndexdataseriesfrom1950to2009,nocleartrendsincycloneintensityareapparent.

Overtheentireperiodfrom1910to2008,theprevalenceofextremesingle-dayprecipitationeventsincreasedatarateofabouthalfapercentagepointperdecade.*

VerbsThatExpressaChange,orLackofChange

grow/rise/increase/climb/surge/skyrocket

decrease/reduce/lower/decline/drop/dwindle/fall/sink/plummet

remain/stay/holdsteady/stagnate/shownochange/leveloff/freeze

fluctuate/change/vary/goupanddown/see-saw

AdverbsThatExpressaRateofChange

sharply/steeply/dramatically/significantly/measurably/exponentially/suddenly

steadily/constantly/consistently/regularly

gradually/slowly/littlebylittle/incrementally

barely/hardly/minimally/marginally/slightly

ExpressinganInexactNumberorAmount

about/around/circa/intheneighborhoodof/giveortake/thereabouts

approximately/roughly/nearly/closeto/approaching

anestimated/projected/adjusted/relative/ballparkfigure

VagueLanguage

Watchforwordsthatsoundvagueandunconvincing.

kindof/sortof/somewhat/moreorlessimportant

alittle,alittlebitdangerous

He’sanexpertorsomethinglikethat/inaway.

Thisdrugisalittlebitdangerousifusedbychildren.

ReferringtoaSource

Whenyouusefactsandfigures,itisimportanttorefertoyoursources.Withoutareputableauthoritytobackyouup,anythingyousaycanbeconsideredhearsay,andyourargumentwilllackcredibility.

Accordingtoareport/interview/anarticleintheNewYorkTimes/theLancet…

AccordingtotheFDA/theSierraClub/MADD/UNESCO/DoctorSmith/ProfessorJones…

Astudy/researchconductedbytheUniversityofCalifornia/CenterforDiseaseControlandPreventionshows/proves/reveals/concludes/suggests/hasdiscovered/hasdeterminedthat…

Experts/scientists/researcherssay/claim/state/havefoundthat…

DoctorSmith/ProfessorJoneshasbeenreportedassayingthat…

Toquote/citeawell-known/reputable/reliable/credible/expertsource…

Abook/article/reportsaid/stated…

CommonKnowledge

Commonknowledgereferstoknownfactsthatdonotrequireproof.Inotherwords,wecanarriveattheseconclusionsifweuseourcommonsense.

Itiscommonknowledge/wellknownthatsmokingcauseslungdisease.

Everybodyknowsthatsmokingincreasestheriskoflungdisease.

Asyouknow,alcoholconsumptionimpairsone’sabilitytoreactquicklyindangeroussituations.

Becarefulnottoconfusemyths,urbanlegends,andpopularmisconceptions(beliefsthatarewidespreadbutunfoundedandsometimesblatantlyerroneous)withcommonknowledgethatisbasedonfact.Justbecausealargenumberofpeoplebelievesomethingtobetruedoesn’tmakeittrue.

Examplesofurbanmyths:TherearedeadlyalligatorslivingintheNewYorkCitysewersystem.

Youcangethighbysmokingtheinsideofabananapeel.

GivingExamples

Givinganexampleisaneffectivewaytosupportanopinionandtoillustrateapoint.

Example:

Take,forexample,Michel,whobelievesthatmostpeoplearenotawareofhowmuchwatertheywasteathome.

Letmeofferanexample:aleakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.

Forexample/instancealeakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.

Asanexample/thatisaleakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.

Take,forexample,aleakytoilet,whichcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.

Inthecaseofaleakytoilet,upto200gallonsofwaterarewastedinaday.

One/anotherwaywewasteupto200gallonsofwateradayisbynotfixingaleakytoilet.

Inparticularaleakytoiletcanwaste200gallonsofwaterperday.

Let’ssayyouhavealeakytoilet.Youcanwasteupto200gallonsofwatereveryday.

Ifyouhavealeakytoilet,thenyoucanwasteupto200gallonsofwatereveryday.

IdentifyingFactorsandReasons

ThedominantfactoraffectingU.S.emissionstrendsisCO2emissionsfromfossilfuelcombustion.

Onefactor/contributor/reasonforrisingCO2emissionsisthecombustionoffossilfuel.

Fossilfuelcombustioncontributesto/accountsfor/isresponsibleforrisingCO2emissions.

RisingCO2emissionsareattributedtofossilfuelcombustion.

ThereasonwhyCO2emissionshaverisenisfossilfuelcombustion.

Fossilfuelsarewidelyusedincombustion.That’swhyCO2emissionshaverisen.

MakinganArgumentAsyourdiscussionproceeds,youwillwanttodevelopyourargumentbyemphasizingoraddingpoints,andpersuadingotherstotakeyourpointofview.Lookatthefollowingphrasesastheycouldbeusedinadiscussionaboutdrunkdriving.

EmphasizingaPoint

I’dliketoemphasize/stress/pointout/repeat/callyourattentiontothefactthatthreeoutofeverytenAmericansareinvolvedatleastonceintheirlifetimeinalcohol-relatedaccidents.

Ihavetostressthefactthat…

Letmetellyou/saythisagain/repeat/reiterate…

Letmemakeitclear/perfectlyclearthat…

AddingaPoint

Inaddition/additionallyanalarmingnumberofdeathsinmotor-vehicleaccidentsareduetodrunkdriving.

Moreover/furthermore…

Afurther/anadditionalpointis…

Also/aswell…

Besides/ontopofthat…

Incidentally/bytheway/onemorething…

Asithappens…

Ihappentoknowthat…

ReferringtoaPoint

Inregard/relation/response/referencetotheZeroToleranceLaw,implementationhasreducedaccidentscausedbyintoxicatedyoungdriversbyafurther11percent.

Concerning/pertainingtoZeroTolerance…

AsfarastheZeroToleranceLawgoes/isconcerned…

WhenitcomestoZeroTolerance…

MakingQualifications

Dependingonyourpointofview/position/stance/circumstancespenaltiesfordrunkdrivingaretoostiff/lax.

Ifyoutakepenaltiesfordrunkdrivingintoconsideration,thereisagreateffect/noeffectonprevention.

Preventingdrunkdrivingdependsonthepenalties.

Italldependsonhowstiffpenaltiesarefordrunkdriving.

It’samatterofhowstiffpenaltiesarefordrunkdriving.

Relativelyspeaking,penaltiesfordrunkdrivingaretoostiff/lax.

Persuasion

Youhavetoadmit/recognize/considerthatthefactsareindisputable.

Youcan’tignore/overlook/discountthefacts.

Ifyoureallythinkaboutit,you’llhavetoagree/disagree.

Therearemanygood/validreasonstosupport/opposedrunkdrivinglaws.

Anybodywouldagree/see/admitthatthefactsareconvincing.

Itonlymakessense/standstoreasonthatnooneshoulddrinkanddrive.

Thefactsspeakforthemselves.

SpeakingtheTruth

Frankly/truthfully/candidly/honestlyspeakingdrunkdrivingistakingyourlifeintoyourhands.

Totellyouthetruth…

Thetruthofthematteris…

I’mnotlyingwhenIsay…

YoucanbelievemewhenIsay…

Whetheryoulikeitornot…

Iswear…

SolutionsandRecommendationsWithoutarecommendationorsolutiontoaproblem,anopinionisjustanopinion.

Youcanoffersolutionsandrecommendationsby:

makingasuggestion(seepage97);

usingmodalverbs;

usingotherphrases.

UsingModalVerbs

PositiveStatements

NegativeStatements

OtherPhrases

Wecansolve/resolve/takecareofairpollutionbyreducingfossilfuelconsumption.

Onesolutiontoairpollutionwouldbetoreducefossilfuelconsumption.

Onewaytosolve/tocutdownon/toputanendto/togetaroundairpollutionwouldbetoreducefossilfuelconsumption.

Istronglysuggest/recommend/proposereducingfossilfuelconsumption/thatwereducefossilfuelconsumption.

Whatweneedistoreducefossilfuelconsumption.

Thekeytocleanerairistoreducefossilfuelconsumption.

Weneedtothinkoutsideoftheboxifwewanttofindarealsolution.

CallingforSolidarity

Weneedtorollupourshirtsleeves/pulltogether/pullourweight.

We’reallinthistogether/inthesameboat.

Wehavetodoourpart/ourshare.

Wecan’tburyourheadsinthesand/standbyanddonothing.

Let’sactnow/dosomethingaboutitbeforeit’stoolate.

ExpressingEmotions

Youaremorelikelytoexpressanopiniononthebasisofhowyoufeelthanwhatyouthinkaboutanissue.Thestrongeryoufeel,themorevocalyoubecome.

Disgust

Ifindracistremarksentirelyunacceptable/revolting/disgusting/off-putting.

Toomuchviolenceinmoviesreallyputsmeoff/turnsmeoff/grossesmeout.

Thefoodhereisgross/revolting/disgusting/sickening.

Dirtybathroomsmakemesick/nauseated.

Crueltytoanimalsturnsmystomach.

Outrage

Thisisincredible/unbelievable/unreal/outrageous!

Haveyoueverheardanythingsoridiculous?

Ican’tunderstandwhy/howanyonecansay/believe/dothat!

Ijustdon’tgetit.

Canyoubelieveit?

Whatdotheythinkthey’redoing?

Don’tmakemelaugh!

Getoutofhere!

Disbelief

Youcan’tbeserious!

You’repullingmyleg/makingitup!

There’snowayonearth!

Yougottabekidding/joking!

Thisispathetic/unbelievable/ajoke!

Dialogue:TheBestIdeaI’veHeardSoFarThisdialogueimaginesacoffeebreakatthelocalcafé.Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Bob:So,youguysgoingtothemeetingtonight?Ray:Youmeanthetown-hallmeetingaboutthenewresorttheywanttobuildnearCoralBeach?Tom:ThewayIlookatitaresort’sjustwhatweneed.Bob:Idisagree.Thelastthingweneedissomethingthat’llonlymakemoneyforahandfulofstrangers.Ray:Well,ifyouaskme,aresortwouldbringalotofbusinessintothecommunity.Asamatteroffact,thatmarineresortatBedfordHarbourincreasedtaxrevenuesbymorethan25percent.Tom:Weallknowthistowncoulduseaboostlikethat.Ray:Icouldn’tagreewithyoumore.Asitistherejustaren’tenoughjobstokeepouryoungpeoplehere.Bob:I’mnotsosurearesort’stheanswer.Imeanmostofthejobsareseasonal,low-payingservicejobs.Tom:Inmyopinionaseasonaljob’sbetterthannojob.Besidestouristsneedcafésandrestaurants,andthatmeansbusinessopportunities.Bob:Yeah,butyoucan’tliveoffthetouristsinthewinter.Joe,what’syourtakeonthis?Joe:Quitefranklyitdoesn’treallymattermuchwhatanyofusthink.Ray:Whatdoyoumean,Joe?Joe:ThewayIseeit,thedecision’salreadymade.Thosedevelopershavegotthetowncouncilintheirpocket,andthismeeting’sjustawaytomakeeverybodythinkthey’vegotasay.Bob:Regardless,I’mgoingtothemeetinganyway.Somebody’sgottospeakout.Ray:Goodpoint,Bob.Afterall,itisafreecountry.

Tom:Wellifitwereuptome,I’dgiveitthegreenlight.It’stimewestartedlookingforwardinsteadofbackward.Ray:Yousaidit,Tom.Itseemseverytimesomebodycomesupwithanewidea,everybody’sagainstit.Joe:C’mon,youguys.Rememberourcostoflivingwillgoupaswell.Tom:Andsowillpropertyvalues.Idon’thaveanythingagainstthevalueofmyhousegoingup,doyouguys?Ray:Letmegiveyouagoodexample.IknowacoupleinBedfordHarbourwhosoldtheirhouseforfivetimeswhattheypaidforit.Youhavetoagreethat’saprettygoodreturn.Joe:Butthatalsomeansitcostsfivetimesmoreforayoungcoupletobuyahouse,andhowmanyyoungpeoplecanaffordthat?Ray:WhatdidIsay?Somepeoplejustcan’tlookonthebrightside.Joe:WhattheyshoulddoinsteadismaketheCoralBeachareaintoapark.Tom:Getreal,Joe.Weneedjobs,notparks.Jan:Sorrytointerrupt,butitlookslikeyouguyscouldusesomemorecoffee.Bob:NowJan,that’sthebestideaI’veheardsofar.

TopicsforPracticeWhat’syouropinionof:

1.gambling;

2.womeninthemilitary;

3.divorce;

4.cosmeticsurgery;

5.schooluniforms;

6.extremesports;

7.electriccars;

8.bingedrinking;

9.foreignexchangeprogramsforhigh-schoolstudents;

10.tattoos?

Howwouldyouasksomeonehisorheropinionon:

1.usingcellphonesincars;

2.customerserviceindepartmentstores;

3.fast-foodrestaurants;

4.violenceinmovies;

5.testingcosmeticsonanimals;

6.recycling;

7.publictransportation;

8.livingtogetherbeforemarriage;

9.advertisingontelevision;

10.Internetdating?

Doyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingopinions?

1.Childrenshouldlearnaforeignlanguageatanearlyage.

2.Thevotingageshouldbeloweredto16.

3.Peoplewhoarecaughtdrivingwhentheyaredrunkshouldlosetheirlicenseforlife.

4.Peoplewhocollectwelfareshouldhavetodosomekindofjobtoearnthemoneytheyreceivefromthegovernment.

5.Stoppingclimatechangeistheresponsibilityofindustry.

6.Carsthatrunongasolineshouldbephasedoutinfavorofcarsthatuseelectricity,solarpower,andotheralternativefuels.

7.Religionshouldnotbetaughtinpublicschools.

8.Parentsshouldnotbeallowedtospanktheirchildren.

9.ItisdangerousforchildrentousetheInternet.

10.TheOlympicGameshavebecometoocommercial.

VocabularyNotes

*Source:http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats9.htm.

**Source:Alcohol,TraumaandImpairedDriving,4 thedition,2009.MADD.

*Source:ClimateChangeIndicatorsintheUnitedStates,EPA,https://www.epa.gov/climatechange/climate-change-basic-information.

CHAPTER

GroupDiscussions

Objectivestoleadandmanageagroupdiscussion

toparticipateinagroupdiscussion

Anexperiencedsoftwaredeveloperwithastrongmanagementbackground,Abdulazizhasbeenpromotedtothepositionofbusinessdevelopmentandsolutionsmanagerinaspecialistrecruitmentconsultancy.InthischallengingpositionAbdulazizwillhavetheopportunitytousehismanagementandcommunicationskillstoleadaninternationalteamofITandsoftwaredevelopers,andtobuildcruciallinkswithabroadnetworkofpartnersinNorthandSouthAmerica,Europe,theMiddleEast,Africa,andAsiaPacific.DuringhisstudiesintheUnitedStates,Abdulazizdevelopedasolid

commandoftechnicalEnglishandheisconversantinbusinessterms.Nowthathewillbeco-coordinatingandconductingworkshops,seminars,planningsessions,andbusinessdiscussionsprimarilyinEnglish,Abdulazizneedsabroaderrangeofphrasesinordertokeephisteamontrackandtoconsultwithseniormanagement.

Groupdiscussionsareanintegralpartofyourdailycommunicationonalllevels:personal,business,andpolitical.Throughmeaningfuldiscussions,younotonlyexchangeideasandformulatesolutions,but

youhavetheopportunitytotestthemoutonothersandreceivevaluablefeedback.

Phrases

Openers:OpeningtheFloor

LeadingaDiscussionWithoutacapableleader,agroupdiscussioncaneasilybecomeafree-for-allthatendsinfrustrationanddissension.Toassurethattimeisusedproductivelyandthatallparticipantscontributeinarespectfulandmeaningfulway,askillfulleadershouldbeableto:

providebackgroundinformation,includingfactsaboutthesituationorproblemtobediscussed;

giveeveryoneadequateandequalchancetospeak;

fieldanddirectquestions;

limitthetimeindividualsspeakandpreventonepersonfrommonopolizingthediscussionorinterruptingunnecessarily;

keepparticipantsontopic;

askspeakerstosupporttheiropinionswithfactsorargumentsandtoexplainapointthatothersmaynotunderstand;

askforagreementordisagreementfromotherparticipantswherenecessary;

summarizeatintervalsorhaveoneoftheparticipantssummarizethemainpointsdiscussedsofar;

takeavoteonmattersthatrequireadecisionormotion;

guideparticipantsinarrivingataconclusionorconsensus.

SettingtheTopic

Todaywe’regoingtodiscuss/talkabouttheupcomingtradefair.

We’reheretodaytodiscussthematterof…

Nowthateveryone’shere,let’sgetdowntothebusinessof…

Asyouknow,thismeetinghasbeencalledtodiscuss…

Ourtopicfortoday’sdiscussionis…

BackgroundInformation

We’llbeginwiththeminutesofthelastmeeting/asummaryofourlastdiscussion/arundownofwhat’shappenedsincelasttime.

Ourlast/previousdiscussion/meetingconcludedwiththedecisiontochangeourwebsite.

Beforewegetstarted,letmegiveyouanupdateonoursalescampaign.

Asyouallknow,lasttimewediscussed/talkedabout/wentoverthenewschedule…

GivingaSpeakertheFloor

AskingforComments

Whohassomethingtosaytothatlastremark/comment/point?

Doesanyoneelsehaveanythingtosay/toadd/tocontribute?

Whowouldliketomakeacomment?

Anyfurthercomments/points/remarks?

Comments,anyone?

FieldingQuestions

AskingforResponsestoQuestions

Who’dliketoanswer/take/respondtothequestion?

Doesanyonehaveananswer/response?

CouldIhavearesponse/replytothequestion?

Let’shavesomefeedbackonthelastpoint.

Anycomments?

ParticipatinginaGroupDiscussionAsaparticipantinagroupdiscussion,eachmembershould:

trytomakepointsclearlyandconcisely;

waithis/herturntospeakwithoutinterruptingunnecessarily;

avoidmonopolizingthediscussionevenifhe/shehasalottosayonthetopic;

respectotherpeople’sopinionsandtheirrighttotheseopinions;

respecttheroleoftheleaderandtrynottotakeover.

StatingaPosition

SeeStatingandOpinion,page147,formorephrases.

ReferringtoOtherParticipants’Points

Asyousaid/putit/mentioned…

Accordingtoyouropinion/yourcomment/whatyou’vejustsaid…

Torefertoyourlastcomment/point…

AskingaQuestion

IntroducinganOpposingArgument

Whatyousaidmaybepossible/true,butifyoulookat/considerthefacts…

Iunderstandyourposition,butdon’tyouthink…

Iagreeinprinciple,butyoushouldconsider…

Yourpointiswelltaken,but…

That’savalidpoint,but…

Iseeyourpoint,but…

Ontheotherhand…

MakingContradictions

Yourstatement/remarkclearlycontradictstheevidence.

I’mafraidIhavetocontradict/challengeyouonthis.

Ifyoulookatthefactsyou’llseethattheopposite/thecontraryistrue.

Didn’tyouknow/weren’tyouawarethatthefactsproveotherwise/theopposite?

That’swrong/false/justnotthecase.

Contrarytowhatyousaid…

Onthecontrary…

MakingObjections

CriticizingYourOpponent

Itisclear/obvioustousthatyouareunabletoseethedifferencebetween…

I’mafraidyoulackaclearunderstandingoftheimportanceof…

Youdon’tseemtograsp/realizethefullimportanceof…

Howcanyoupossiblypropose/believesuchanidea?

Don’tyouthinkyoushouldbemoreopen-minded?

Don’tbeunfair.

AskingforJustification

Idon’tknow/see/understandhowyou’vecomeupwiththat.

Onwhatgroundsdoyoumakethatassumption?

Howdidyoucomeupwith/arriveat/figurethat?

Wheredidyougetthatidea/thosefacts?

Whatreasondoyouhavetosaythat?

Whydoyouthinkso?

Howcome?

RespondingtoaPointorQuestion

IfImay,I’dliketoanswer/respond/replytothequestion/makeacomment.

I’dliketoaddressthepoint/theissuebysayingthat…

There’ssomethingI’dliketosayinresponse.

Iwantto/needtomakesomethingclear…

RedirectingaQuestion

What/howaboutyou?

Andyou?

Yourself?

InterruptionsAtsomepointinthediscussionyoumaywanttoaddapointoraskaquestionwhilesomeoneelseisspeaking.Insteadofbuttingin,therearephrasesthatyoucanusetointerruptpolitelyandrespectfully.Ontheotherhand,theremaybeoccasionswhenyouneedtobemoredirect.

Interrupting(Participants)

ReactingtoInterruptions(Participants)

HandlingInterruptions(Leader)

ClarificationandExplanations

AskingforClarification

GivingClarification

WhatImean/meanttosayisweneedtocutcoststostaycompetitive.

WhatI’mtryingtosay/togetatis…

ThisishowIseeit…

Iwasreallytryingtosay…

Letmeclearthisup/makethisperfectlyclear…

It’sasclearas/asplainasday.

Anyonecanseethat…

AskingforExplanations

GivingExplanations

Letmeexplain/putitdifferently/rephrasethat.

Tobeginwiththis…

Firstofall…

Foronething/foranother…

It’slikethis…

Thatistosay…

Namely…

(SeeGivingExamples,page159,formorephrases.)

Rephrasing

WhatImeanto/intendedtosayis…

Letmeputitthisway…

Bythis/thatImean…

Inotherwords…

Anotherwaytolookatit…

Misunderstandings

AskingforRepetition

Wouldyoupleaserepeatthat/saythatagain/speakup/slowdown?

Doyouthinkyoucouldrepeatthat/gooverthatagain?

Couldyourunthroughthatagain?

I’mafraidwemissedthat/couldn’thear/didn’tcatchthat.

Ibegyourpardon.

Pardonme.

Dependingonthetoneofvoice,PardonmeorIbegyourpardoncanalsomeanIdon’tbelievewhatI’mhearingandindicatesthatthespeakerisshocked,offended,orsurprised.

NotUnderstanding

Whatareyougettingat?

IthinkI’mmissingsomethinghere.

Thatdoesn’tseemtomakesense.

I’mafraidIdon’tunderstand.

That’sbeyondme/overmyhead/allGreektome.

Ican’tmakeheadsortailsofthis.

Ihaven’tgotthefoggiest/faintestidea.

Idon’tget/didn’tgetthatatall.

Canyousay/putthatinplainEnglish?

CheckingforUnderstanding

ConfirmingUnderstanding

So,whatyou’resayingisthis…

SoletmeseeifI’vegotthisright…

Sowhatyou’vesaidinfactis…

Iunderstand/see/getit/hearyouloudandclear.

Igetthemessage/picture/idea/drift.

Iseewhereyou’recomingfrom/you’regoingwiththis.

Right/allright.

ClearingUpaMisunderstanding

ManagingtheDiscussionWhenthediscussiongetsgoing,theleaderwillwanttomakesurethatparticipantsstayfocusedandontrackandthatnoteveryonetalksatonce.Intheeventofaheateddiscussion,agoodleadermayhavetocalmdownparticipantsandrestoreorder.

FocusingontheMainIssue

Themain/primary/realproblem/issue/concernishowtoraisemoremoney.

Theessence/cruxofthematter/mostimportantthingis…

Itallcomesdownto…

Thebottomlineis…

GettingAttention

Ifyou’llexcuseme/lendmeanear/payattentionforamoment.

CouldIhaveyourattention,please?

Wouldeveryonestoptalkingforamoment?

Noweveryone,listento/hearthis.

Attention,everybody!

Listenup!

Quietnow!

GettingBackonTrack

AskingforBrevity

Couldyoubebrief?

Couldyougettothepoint/spareusthedetails?

Howaboutputtingthatinfewerwords?

Whatareyoutryingtosayexactly?

What’syourpoint?

Cuttothechase.

DefusingaSituation

We’dbettertakeabreather/atime-outfirst.

Maybeweshouldallcoolofffirst.

Let’scalmdown/keepalevelhead.

Let’snotjumpoffthedeepend/getallwoundup/getaheadofourselves.

Let’snotflyoffthehandle/getcarriedaway.

Don’tgetyourshirt/shortsinaknot.

Keepyourshirton!

Wouldyoumind/watchyourlanguage?

Thatremarkwasuncalledfor.

RestoringOrder

Couldwehavesomeorderplease?

Willeveryonecalmdown/settledown?

Let’snotalltalkatonce!

Quietdown!

Silence/order,please!

InConclusionWhereasaninformaldiscussioncanendinasimplesummaryorconclusion,amoreformaldiscussionatworkorinanorganizationwillprobablyendinanofficialdecisionthatrequiresmemberstomakeamotionandtovote.

Summarizing

Tosummarize/sumup/recap…

Inbrief/short/summary…

Tomakealongstoryshort…

Longstoryshort…

Sofar…

Inanutshell…

DrawingConclusions

Toconcludeourdiscussion,itlooksliketheprojectwillcomeinunderbudgetafterall.

Therefore/thus/sowecanconcludethat…

It’ssafetosaythat…

Inconclusion…

Allinall/allthingsconsidered…

Altogether/overall…

Therefore/thus…

Theupshotis…

LastWords

Wouldanyoneliketomakeonelastcomment?

Arethereanylast/finalwordsonthematter?

Nowisthechancetomakeafinalcomment.

Thisisyourlastchance.

Speaknow,orforeverholdyourpeace.

Anylastcomments?

MakingaMotion

I’dliketomove/tomakeamotionthatweincreaseourmembershipfeesby10percent.

Imove/resolvethat…

Isecondthemotion.

AskingforaVoteorConsensus

Couldwehaveashowofhands?

Who’sinfavor/against?

Areweallinagreement?

Allinfavorsayyes/yea.

Allagainstsayno/nay.

Arethereanydissenters?

For/against?

WrappingUp

I’dliketothanktheparticipantsfortheirinput/contributions.

Iappreciateyourinput/participation/contributions.

Thanksforcoming/beinghere/takingpart.

Goodjob,everybody.

EndingtheDiscussion

Dialogue:TheHolidayPartyUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Will:Nowthateveryone’shere,I’dliketobeginbythankingallofyouforbeingontime.Asyoucanseefromtheagenda,ourfirsttopicisthisyear ’sChristmasparty.Hasanyonegotanyideasthey’dliketoshare?Erin:Sure,I’dliketoseeusdosomethingalittledifferentthisyear.Ken:Why,what’swrongwithgoingtotheplacewealwaysgoto?Erin:Justthat.It’sthesamerestaurant,samefood,sameatmosphere.Ken:FarasIknowyou’retheonlyonewhodoesn’tlikeit.Erin:Don’tgetmewrong.Ididn’tsayIdidn’tlikeit.Ken:Well,that’swhatIunderstood.Will:Let’shearfromtheothers,okay?Commentsanyone?Deb:Idon’thaveanyobjectionstotryingsomethingelse.Erin,whatdidyouhaveinmind?Erin:Well,foronethingwecouldhavethepartyhere—Ken:Here?Intheoffice?Whatfor?We’rehereallthetime.Will:LetErinfinishfirst,ifyoudon’tmind,Ken.Erin:AsIwassaying,wecouldhavethepartyhere,havethefoodcatered,playsomegames,maybeevensomemusic.Deb:Ithinkgameswouldliventhingsup,andwe’dallhaveabetterchanceto

mixthanwhenwe’restuckbehindatableforacoupleofhours.Tina:Icanseeyourpoint,Erin,butsomebodywouldhavetoorganizeeverythingandthat’salotofextrawork.Erin:Idon’tmind.Will:So,ifIunderstandcorrectly,Erin,you’dliketotakeiton.Erin:Ifit’sokaywitheveryoneelse,sure.Tina:I’dbegladtogiveyouahand.Will:Beforewetakeavote,doesanyonehaveanyfurtherquestionsoranythingtoadd?Ben:Actually,ifIcouldgetawordinedgewise.Will:Thefloor ’syours,Ben.Ben:I’vebeenthinking.Ifwehadthefoodcatered,there’dbemoremoneyfordrinks,right?Erin:I’dneedanestimateonthecatering,butwe’dhavemoneyleftover.Tina:Will,I’vegotaquestion.Will:Goahead,Tina.Tina:Idon’tknowhowwellgameswouldgoover,soIwaswonderingifyoucouldtelluswhatyou’resuggesting?Erin:Wedon’tnecessarilyhavetoplaygames.MaybeIcouldcomeupwithacontest.Ken:LikeguessthenamesofSanta’sreindeer?Deb:C’mon,Ken.Youdon’thavetobesarcastic.Will:Okay,everyone.Let’srememberit’sChristmaswe’retalkingabout.Tina:Iknow!Whydon’tweexchangepresents?Wewouldn’tneedtospendmorethanfivetotendollars.Deb:Yeah,andsomeonecandressuplikeSantaClaus.Will:Hey,nowwaitaminute.Don’teverybodylookatme!

TopicsforPracticeWithagroupoffriendsorclassmates,discuss:

1.thedetailsofatripyou’dliketotakeonaholidayweekend;

2.howyou’dliketocelebratesomeone’sbirthday,awedding,oraspecialoccasion;

3.howyouwouldsolvetrafficproblemsinyourcity;

4.whatyouwoulddoifyouwonthelotteryasagroup;

5.whatchangesyouwouldliketoseeatschoolorwork;

6.howyoucanprepareyourselfforanemergencysituationsuchasanearthquake,hurricane,orfire;

7.whatstepsyoucantaketogethertodosomethingfortheenvironment;

8.howyoucanraisemoneytosupportacharitableorganization;

9.whoyouwanttovoteforinthenextelection,andwhatyoucoulddotosupportthecandidate;

10.howyoucanmaketheworldabetterplace.

VocabularyNotes

CHAPTER

SeriousSubjects

Objectivestodiscusscomplaints,demands,mistakes,causes,andconsequences

toapologizeandmakeamends

toexpresscertaintyandpossibility

HavinggrownupinRiodeJaneiro,Gabrielaisusedtomakingcontactwithtouristsfromallovertheworld.Tohelpfinanceherstudiesinhotelandtourismmanagement,sheworkedinlocalrestaurantsandresorthotelswheresheputherschoolEnglishtogooduse.Gabriela’sdreamistostartupherownboutiquehotel,butfirstsheneedsto

acquiremoreexperienceinherchosenfieldand,ofcourse,tobringherEnglishskillsuptoaprofessionallevel.Alreadyonherfirstdayatthefrontdeskofaninternationalhotel,Gabrielawasfacedwithavarietyofcomplaintsandrequestsfromapartyofforeignweddingguests.Sheknewenoughtostaycalm,cool,andcollected,butshefoundthinkingonherfeetinanotherlanguagestressful.Inthosemomentswhenshehadtopacifydemandingguests,therightexpressionsfailedher.Gabrielacameawaynotwantingthesamethingtohappentoheragain.

InChapters7and8youlearnedhowtoconductstimulatingdiscussionsbasedonanexchangeofopinions.Unfortunately,notalldiscussionscanbepleasantorentertaining,andnotallproblemscanbesolvedthroughadvice

orsympathy,asyoulearnedinChapter5.Attimesyouwillfindyourselfinsituationsthatinvolvebroaderimplicationsandthatrequiresensitivityandtacttoresolve.

Phrases

Openers:CommonConcernsIdon’tknowwhytheydon’tdosomethingaboutthetrafficcongestioninthecity.

They/somebodyshoulddosomethingaboutthecostofliving.

Iwishsomebodywoulddosomethingabouthomelessness.

Thewasteofenergyisintolerable/unacceptable.

Gangviolenceisreallygettingtobeaproblem/hassle/pain.

It’sabouttime/hightimetheybuiltanewbridge.

Don’tyoujusthateitwhenfoodpriceskeepgoingupfornoreason?

Thelackofaffordablehousinginthiscityismypetpeeve.

Whois“they”?InEnglish“they”canrefertogovernmentoranyindefiniteauthoritythatweexpecttosolveaproblemaffectingthegeneralpopulation.

OfferingSolutionstoGeneralProblems

LevelsofLanguageWhenyouhavetobroachadifficultsubject,youcanendupinawarofwords,oryoucantrythroughtactandcourtesytoresolvetheproblemtothesatisfactionofallpartiesinvolved.Theformerendswithsomebodybeingtheloser;thelattercanresultinawin-winsituation.

Howyougoaboutdiscussingdelicateandserioussubjectsisdeterminedfirstbyyourpersonalstyleofinteractingwithothers,andsecondbythecultureinwhichyouwereraised.Whereasdirectnessisappreciatedinsomecultures,inotherspolitenessandsavingfacearevaluedmore.Inanycase,theleveloflanguageyouemployplaysanimportantroleingettingyourmessage

across.

Directvs.IndirectLanguageInEnglishchoiceofwordsisimportant,partlybecauseoftheabsenceofafamiliarandunfamiliarsecondpersonpronoun.Youisyou,regardlessofaperson’sage,position,orauthority,andofnumber.ToshowdistanceorrespectintheEnglishlanguage,youcanuseindirect,ratherthandirect,language.Thefollowingexamplesshowhowtoasksomeonetoputouthisorhercigarette.

Usingdirectorindirectlanguagecanmakeadifferenceinsituationswhereyouhavetonegotiateanoutcome.Lookatsomeofthewaysyoucanturndirectintoindirectlanguage:

Direct Indirect

Iwanttohave… Iwouldliketohave…

Idon’twantto. I’dreallyrathernot/I’dprefernotto.

Idon’tlikethat. I’dreallyprefersomethingelse.

Idon’tknow. I’mnotquitesure/I’llhavetocheckonthat.

Youmust/havetoleave.

Isuggest/recommendthatyounotstaymuchlonger.

Don’tuseyourcellphone.

I’dappreciateitifyou’drefrainfromusingyourcellphone.

Stoptalking! Wouldyoumindnottalking?

Ican’t. I’mafraidit’snotpossible.

Wehavenochoice. Weareforcedunderthecircumstancesto…

No! Letmethinkaboutthis.

That’sbad. That’snotparticularlygood.

Wecanalsotempermeaningbyaddingthefollowingwordsasadjectivesoradverbs:

alittle,alittlemore/less

somewhat/rather

perhaps/maybe

Itmight/maybe

particularly/terribly/really/allthatmuch

Examples:

Ifindthesituationsomewhat/ratherannoying.

Perhaps/maybeyoucouldmakeafewchangestotheschedule.

We’dappreciateitifyou’dbealittlemoreaccommodating.

Idon’treallycareforthisseatingarrangement.

Saying“No”Nicely

Anegativeanswercanbethesimplestandperhapsthemosthonestone,buttherearetimeswhenitmaybenecessarytowordarefusalinmilderlanguage.

I’dliketojoinyou,butIreallyhavetobesomewhereelseinafewminutes.

Sorry,butIdon’tthinkIcanfindwhatyou’relookingfor.

I’mafraidIcan’ttakeyourcallatthismoment.

I’dreallyrathernotgointothedetailsifyoudon’tmind.

Thanks,butasubstituteisnotwhatIhadinmind.

BeingPositive

Inunpleasantandstressfulsituationsyoucaneasilyseeonlythenegativesideofthings.Althoughoptimisminsuchcircumstancescanappearinappropriate,atalentformaintainingapositiveattitudecanrelievestressandrelaxtension.

I’msure/convinced/positivethatyourinsurancewillcoverthedamage.

Onthebrightside/onapositivenote…

Lookingatthepositiveside…

Optimisticallyspeaking…

Tobeoptimistic/positive…

Irony,Sarcasm,andEuphemismDependingonthetoneofvoice,however,indirectlanguagecanbeturnedintodirectlanguage.Whatmaysound“nice”mayconveyquitetheopposite.Englishspeakersoftenuseirony,sarcasm,tongue-in-cheek,andeuphemismsthatnon-nativeEnglishspeakersmayfinddifficulttointerpret.Takealookatthefollowingexamples:

Irony(usingwordsthatmeantheoppositewiththeintentionofbeingwittyorfunny)

Examples:(afterthreedaysofsolidrain)Don’tyoujustlovetherain?(aboutuncleardirections)Thesedirectionsareasclearasmud.

Sarcasm(usingsharpwordsthatmeantheoppositewiththeintentionofmocking,insulting,orwounding)

Examples:(toaslowwaiter)Youreallydidn’thavetobeinsuchahurry!(tosomeonewhohasn’tcalledyouinalongtime)Iwaswonderingifmaybeyou’dhadyourphonedisconnected.Youneverseemtouseit.

Tongue-in-cheek(sayingsomethingthatonedoesn’tmeanseriously,andindicatingsowithafacialexpressionsuchasawink)

Examples:(tosomeonewhohasahangover)My,youlookfreshandbouncythismorning!

(pretendinginnocence)Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.

Euphemism(usingmildwordsforsomethingunpleasantoroffensive)

Examples:Wehadaminordisagreement(insteadofbigfight).Carthieftopoliceman:“ButIwasonlyborrowingit”(insteadofstealing).

HumorinEnglish-languagecultures,particularlywhatisknownas“black”or“gallows”humor,isbasedonsarcasmandirony,andsitcomsandcomedyroutinesarefullofexamples.Non-nativespeakerswillwonderwhat’ssofunny,especiallywhenanativeEnglishspeakerappearstobeveryseriousandsayssomethingironic,sarcastic,oreuphemisticwithastraightface.Asanon-nativespeaker,youwillnotbeexpectedtouselanguagelikeanativespeaker,butyoushouldbeawareofthesignals.Themorepositiveorpleasantaremarksounds,oftenthemorenegativethemeaning.

CommonRejoindersUsedIronicallyorSarcastically

Ohreally?

Howaboutthat!

Youdon’tsay!

Iwouldneverhaveguessed!

Well,I’llbe!

Isn’tthatnice/lovely/justwonderful!

Howkind/sweet/considerate/thoughtful/interesting!

I’veneverbeensohappy/glad/pleasedinallmylife.

Thankyouverymuch!

ComplaintsandDemandsInadditiontodiscussingpersonalproblems,asyoulearnedinChapter5,youwillfindyourselfhavingtodealwithproblemsthatinvolveotherpeople.Perhapsyou’redissatisfiedwiththeserviceyoureceivedinastore,orsomeonemadeamistakethatnegativelyaffectsyou.Complaintsanddemandsrequireadegreeoftactanddeterminationwhenyouwanttogetyourpointacross.

MakingaComplaint

Iwishtoexpressmydissatisfaction/disappointmentwith/concernaboutthechargesonmylaststatement.

Iwant/wishtocomplainabout/toobjecttothenoiseinthebuilding.

I’dliketofile/tolodgeacomplaintagainstmylandlord.

Thereseemstobeaproblemwith/mistakeonmyinvoice.

Ihaveacomplaint/beefabout/anissuewiththerepairsthatweredonetomycar.

I’mupset/unhappy/dissatisfied/displeased/annoyedwithmyorder.

I’mhavingaproblemwithmycableservice.

Myprescriptionisnotokay/inorder/howitshouldbe.

Somebodymesseduponmypointscard.

AskingforDetails

Whatexactly/specificallyseemstobethematter/theproblem?

Whatistheexactnatureofyourcomplaint?

Canyougivemeadetailedaccountoftheevent?

Canyouprovideuswithdetails/specifics?

What’sallthefuss?

RespondingtoaComplaint

I’llseewhatIcandoaboutit.

We’lltakecareof/seetoitrightaway.

We’reheretohelpyou.

I’msurewecanworkthisout/gettothebottomofthis.

ShowingUnderstandingorAgreement

Seepage96forphrasestoshowsympathyandunderstanding,andpage152foragreeingwithanopinion.

Misinformation

Iwasled/madetobelievethattheservicewasincludedintheprice.

IwasundertheimpressionthatIwouldreceiveairmiles.

Ithought/understoodthattherewerenointerestchargesonthebalance.

Iwastold/informedthatanagentwouldtakecareofthematter.

They/someonetoldmethattherewerenoextraservicefees.

StatingaRequest

MakingDemands

BeingFirm

That’soutofthequestion.

I’mnotbudging/moving/givinganinch.

I’mstickingtomyguns.

Iinsistonmyrights.

He’splayinghardball.

Youdriveahardbargain.

RulesandConditionsWhenyouenterintoagreementsorarrangementswithotherpeople,itisnecessarytostatetherulesandconditionsinspecificanddetailedlanguagesothateveryoneknowswhatisexpectedofhimorher.

Conditions

Ifyousignathree-yearcontract,youwillgetacellphoneforfree.

Unlessyousignathree-yearcontract,youwillhavetopayextraforthecellphone.

Youwillgetafreecellphoneprovided/ontheconditionthat/giventhatyousignathree-yearcontract.

Aslongasyousignathree-yearcontract,youwillgetacellphoneforfree.

Subjectto/dependingonthecontract,youeitherwillgetacellphoneforfreeorhavetopayextraforit.

Thecostofthecellphonedependson/iscontingentuponthelengthofthecontract.

Thetermsofthecontractstatethatyoumustsignathree-yearcontractinordertogetafreecellphone.

RulesandRegulations

Parkingisnotpermitted/allowedonthisstreet.

Smokingisprohibited/forbidden/bannedonairplanes.

Accordingtotherules/lawyoumaynotusehandhelddeviceswhiledriving.

Therulesstate/saythatyoumaynot/youarenotallowedtouseahandhelddevicewhiledriving.

Useofthepoolandwhirlpoolwillbelimitedtothehoursbetween10:00a.m.and4:00p.m.

Allguestsandresidentswillbeliableforanydamagetotheproperty.

Noreturnsonsaleitems.

Importance

Itisimportant/necessary/essentialtoreadthetermsoftheagreementcarefully.

Especially/particularly/importantly/firstlyyoushouldreadthetermsoftheagreementcarefully.

Firstandforemost/aboveall/inparticularyoushouldreadthecontractcarefully.

Whateveryoudo,readthecontractcarefully.

Thisinquiryhashighpriority.

BadNewsandGoodNewsAccordingtoapopularsaying,nonewsisgoodnews.Deliveringgoodnewscanbeapleasanttask,whereasbreakingbadnewsisdifficult,especiallywhenyouriskhavingtodisappointorangeranotherperson.Inbothcases,youcanuseavarietyofphrasesthatwillfitthesituation.

BadNews

Iregrettosay/toinformyouthattherehasbeenanaccident.

Ihatetobreakthistoyou,but…

I’msorry/afraidtohavetosaythat…

I’mnotsure/don’tknowhowtotellyouthis,but…

Itgivesmenopleasureatalltotellyouthat…

IwishIhadanotherwaytobreakthistoyoubut…

Unfortunately/regrettably/apparently…

Itseems/appearsthat…

Forsomereason/someoddreason…

Youmaynotwanttohearthis,but…

AvoidinganUnpleasantSubject

Doyouthinkyoucouldchangethesubject?

Can’twetalkabout/discussthissomeothertime?

DoIhavetohear/listentothis?

I’mreallynotinterested.

That’snotwhatIneedtohearrightnow.

Sparemethedetails.

Keepittoyourself!

ChangingtheSubject

Ifyoudon’tmind,I’dliketochangethesubject/topic.

Itwouldbeniceifwechangedthesubject/topic.

Could/canwechangethesubject?

Can’twetalkaboutsomethingelse?

Haven’twediscussed/talkedaboutthisenoughalready?

Howaboutswitchingtoanothersubject/topic/somethingmorepleasant?

GoodNews

Fortunately/luckilynoonewashurtandnothingvaluablewaslostinthefire.

Asluckwouldhaveit…

Onthegood/positive/brightside…

Luckyforyou…

Itturnedoutthat…

Today’syourluckyday!

CausesandConsequencesTheexpectedresultorconsequenceofaparticularactionisanimportantfactorinanyin-depthdiscussion.Beforeyoucanarriveatanacceptablesolution,youwillalsowanttoinvestigatethecauseoftheproblem.

CauseandEffect

Maildeliverywillbedisruptedbecause/since/asthereisapostalstrike.

Maildeliverywillbedisruptedbecauseof/dueto/asaresultof/onaccountofthepostalstrike.

There’sapostalstrike;therefore/asaresult/consequentlymaildeliverywillbedisrupted.

Duetothefactthatthere’sapostalstrike,maildeliverywillbedisrupted.

Aslongasthere’sapostalstrike,maildeliverywillbedisrupted.

ResultsandConsequences

Thepostalstrikecancause/leadto/resultin/beresponsibleforadisruptioninmaildelivery.

Thedisruptioninmaildeliveryisattributedto/couldhappenbecauseof/isadirectresultofthepostalstrike.

Thepostalstrikecouldleadto/resultin/contributetoadisruptioninmaildelivery.

Asaresultof/theconsequenceof/duetothepostalstrike,maildeliverywillbedisrupted.

Theresult/consequence/outcomeofthemailstrikewillbeadisruptioninmaildelivery.

There’sapostalstrike;hence,adisruptioninmaildeliverywilloccur.

Ifnothingisdoneaboutthepostalstrike,therewillbeadisruptioninmaildelivery.

Themailstrikewillendupinadisruptionofmaildelivery.

Worst-casescenariowouldbeadisruptioninmaildelivery.

Effects

Social-networkingaffects/impacts/influencescommunication.

Social-networkinghasaneffect/impact/influenceoncommunication.

Social-networkinghasmade/makesadifferencetocommunication.

Toexpressthedegreeofeffectonethinghasonanother,youcanaddthefollowingadjectives(andadverbs):

Positive Negativemajor/significant minorserious/grave slight/minimalpermanent/lasting temporary

CertaintyandPossibilityNobodycanseethefuture.Nevertheless,beforeyoumakeadecisionorreach

anagreement,youwillneedtopredicttheoutcomeoratleastconsiderthepossibilities.

Certainty

100percent Ourcandidatewill/won’twintheelection.

99percent Ourcandidatecan’t/couldn’tlosetheelection.

95percent Ourcandidatemust/hastowintheelection.

Ourcandidatecanwintheelection.

75to90percent

Ourcandidateshould/ought/isbound/islikelytowintheelection.

Chancesare/there’sa(good)chanceourcandidatewillwintheelection.

Lessthan50percent Ourcandidatecouldwintheelection.

Ourcandidatemay/mightwintheelection.

MakingDeductionsAboutRecentResults

100percent TheCPI(consumerpriceindex)hasincreased.

TheCPIcouldn’thavedecreased.

95percent TheCPIhastohave/musthaveincreased.

75percent TheCPIcouldhaveincreased.

50percent TheCPImight/mayhaveincreased.

Possibility

Itispossible/feasible/plausibletobuildacityonthemoon.

Someonecan/couldbuildacityonthemoon.

Therearewaystobuildacityonthemoon.

Buildingacityonthemoonisdoable/viable.

Itwouldn’tsurprisemeifsomeonebuiltacityonthemoon.

Impossibility

Itisimpossible/unfeasible/implausible/unrealistic/notviabletobuildacityonthemoon.

There’snoway/nopossiblewaythatpeoplecouldbuildacityonthemoon.

Acityonthemooncouldn’t/won’thappeninamillionyears.

Buildingacityonthemoonisridiculous/ludicrous/astretch/apipedream/anillusion/outofthisworld.

Toincreasethedegreeofcertainty/uncertaintyorpossibility/impossibilityyoucanusethefollowingadverbs:

100percent certainly,definitely,absolutely,unquestionably,undoubtedly

80–90percent probably,mostlikely,likely,surely,highly,inalllikelihood

lessthan50percent

perhaps,maybe,possibly,conceivably,foralloneknows

Examples:Therewilldefinitelybesomebigchangescoming.Thegovernmentwillprobablycutsocialprogramstosavemoney.Foralloneknowswecouldrunoutofoilsoonerthanwethink.

ApologiesandAgreementsAsimpleapologycanbethebestwaytohealhurtfeelingsandmakeamendsformistakesandmisunderstandings.Sorrymaybeasmallword,butsayingyou’resorrycangoalongway.

MakingApologies

DemandinganApology

Youractionscallforanapology.

Iexpect/demand/insistonafull/completeapology.

IthinkI’mentitledtoanapology.

Anyconsideratepersonwouldapologize.

Iwon’tacceptanythingbutafullapology.

ExpressingRegrets

Ishouldn’thavebeensocareless/Ishouldhavebeenmorecareful.

IwishIhadn’tbeensocareless/Ihadbeenmorecareful.

Iregretmycarelessness/havingbeencareless/thatIwascareless.

RegretfullyIwascareless.

Mycarelessnesswasregrettable.

I’msorryaboutmycarelessness.

AcceptinganApology

RefusinganApology

Anapology’sanicegesture,butIneedmorethanthat.

Iexpectmorethanamereapology.

I’msorrybutit’snotenough.

Anapology/nicewordswon’tdoit.

That’sjustaneasywayout.

OfferinganExcuse

I’dreallyliketohelpyouout,butI’mnotinapositiontodoanythingaboutit.

I’msorry,butit’snotuptome/myresponsibility/mydepartment.

IwishIcould,butit’snotinmypower.

Ididn’thaveanythingtodowithit.

You’llhavetoasksomeoneelse.

There’sreallynothingIcando.

You’vegotthewrongperson/department.

Itmusthavegottenlostintheshuffle/fallenthroughthecracks.

Myhandsaretied.

RecognizinganErrororAccident

MakingAmends

SettlingDifferences

Howaboutifwesettleourdifferences/thescore?

Ihopetherearenobad/illfeelings.

I’msurewecanironthisout.

Let’sburythehatchet.

Letbygonesbebygones.

MakingCompromises

Weneedsomegiveandtakeonthis.

Canwemeetinthemiddle/halfway?

Let’ssplitthedifference.

Wecanworksomethingout.

It’sawin-winsituation.

ComingtoAgreement

Let’sshakeonit/signonthedottedline.

You’vegotadeal.

Youhavemyword.

We’regoodtogo/allset.

Wecangiveitthego-ahead/greenlight.

It’sadeal!

Agreed!

Dialogue:AHardBargainUnderlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Landlord:Now,what’sthenatureofyourcomplaint?TenantA:Forthreemonthsnowwe’vebeenputtingupwithconstantnoiseduetorepairworkonthebuildingexterior.Landlord:Iunderstandthatsomerepairworkwastobedoneonthefaçadeandbalconies,anditwillcertainlyimprovetheoverallappearanceofthebuilding.TenantA:Butthere’sbeenconstantbangingandjackhammeringforthreemonthsnow.TenantB:Andbecauseoftheextremenoise,wearefrequentlyforcedtoleavethebuilding.Landlord:That’sunfortunate,butthegoodnewsisitwon’tlastforever.TenantA:Regardlesswe’dliketoknowwhywewereneverinformedbeforewesignedourlease.Ifyou’llremember,weclearlystatedfromtheoutsetthatwebothworkfromhome.TenantB:Underthepresentcircumstances,thenoiselevelcouldpotentiallyimpactourlivelihood.Landlord:Idoapologizefortheinconvenience,butthere’snothingIcandoaboutit.TenantA:Whenweagreedtorentthecondo,wewereledtobelievethatweweremovingintoaquietbuilding.Landlord:Undernormalcircumstances,itisaquietbuilding.Perhapsyoushouldcontactthemanagementcompanywhoisoverseeingtherepairwork.TenantB:Butwesignedtheleasewithyou,notthem.Landlord:Well,ifyouwanttomoveout,youarefreetodoso.

TenantA:Andpayapenaltyforbreakingthelease?Landlord:Thosearethetermsoftheleaseagreement,yes.TenantB:Consideringthatwe’renotatfaultinallofthis,Idon’tthinkthat’sfairatall!Landlord:Sowhatisitexactlythatyouwantfromme?TenantA:Legallyweareentitledtocompensationforlossofpeacefulenjoyment.Landlord:Well,foryourinformationtheserepairsarecostingmethousandsofdollars,andalthoughI’mlegallyentitledtoraisetherenteveryyear,Ididnotdoso.TenantA:Wecouldgotoarbitration,butwe’dprefertosettlewithyou.Landlord:Iappreciatethegesture,butitputsmeonthespot.IsupposeIcouldofferyoua10percentreductionfromnowuntilyoumoveout.TenantB:ActuallyIwasthinkingofa30percentrentreductionretroactively.Landlord:I’msorry,butthat’soutofthequestion.TenantA:Likewesaid,wecouldgotoarbitration.Landlord:Okay,here’sthedeal:I’llsplitthedifference,butontheconditionthatIrequireonefullmonth’snotice.TenantA:That’sunderstood.(ToTenantB)I’mokaywiththatifyouare.TenantB:Well,it’snotexactlywin-win,butIguessit’sbetterthannothing.

TopicsforPracticeChangethefollowingintoindirectlanguage:

1.Idon’tlikethat.

2.Theserviceinhereisterrible.

3.Youmadeamistake.

4.Idon’tunderstandyou.

5.It’sallyourfault!

6.Whatastupididea!

7.Ican’thelpyou.

8.That’sridiculous.

9.Idon’tknow!

10.Whatdoyoumean?

Howwouldyoucomplainabout:

1.amistakeonyourphonebill;

2.apackagethatyoureceivedbymistake;

3.havingtowaitalongtimetogetanappointment;

4.abadmarkonanunfairtestpaper;

5.poorserviceinarestaurant;

6.aheatingsysteminyourofficeorhomethatdoesn’tworkproperly;

7.havingbeenoverchargedforacarrepair;

8.lostluggageattheairport;

9.rushhourtrafficinyourcity;

10.ongoingconstructionnoiseinyourofficeorapartmentbuilding?

VocabularyNotes

* Theverbtoinsistisanotherofthefew,liketorecommendandtosuggest,thattakethesubjunctive.Seepage98.

PART3PhrasesforSpecialOccasions

“Goodwordsareworthmuch,andcostlittle.”

—GeorgeHerbert

A

CHAPTER

SpecialOccasions

Objectivestohostinformalandformalgatherings

toextendwishesonavarietyofsocialoccasions

syouhavelearnedintheprevioussections,thereisawidechoiceofphrasesatyourdisposalforcarryingonaconversationordiscussion.Specialoccasions,suchasawardceremonies,birthdays,weddings,

holidays,andmanymore,comewithspecialphrasesthatmaynotbeonthetipofyourtonguewhenyouneedthem.Notknowingtherightwordsattherightmomentcanbeembarrassing,butyoudonothavetobeamotivationalspeakertomasterthoselittlewordsthatoftenmeanquitealot.

Phrases

Openers:WordsofWelcomeGoodmorning/afternoon/evening,ladiesandgentlemen/friends/colleagues/fellowmembers/guests.

I’dliketowelcomeeveryonetoourmeeting/gathering/celebration.

Welcome,ladiesandgentlemen/everyone.

Hello/hi/greetings,everyone.

It’sgood/nice/greattoseeallofyou.

I’mgladyoucouldallbeheretoday/thisevening.

HonorsandAwardsWhenitcomestopresentingandacceptingawards,youcanfindyourselfatalossforwordsnotonlybecauseyoumaybenervousbutalsobecauseyouwanttosayjusttherightthing.

PresentinganAwardorHonor

ItgivesmegreatpleasuretocalluponElenatoacceptthisaward/scholarship/trophy.

Andtheaward/scholarship/trophygoestoYuan-Ting.

We’regatheredheretopaytributetoagreatfriendandcolleague.

Pleasestandupfor/putyourhandstogetherforAli.

Andnow,themomentwe’veallbeenwaitingfor.

AcceptanceSpeeches

I’mhonored/pleased/thrilledtoacceptthisaward/scholarship/trophy.

It’sagreathonor/pleasureformetoacceptthisaward.

I’dliketothank/toexpressmygratitudetomyparents/family/wife/husband/partners/teachers.

Icouldn’thavedoneitwithoutthesupportofmyparents/family…

Myspeechwouldnotbecompletewithoutawordofthanksto…

Myheartfeltthanks/deepestappreciationgoesoutto…

Announcements

Ladiesandgentlemen,I’mpleasedtoannounce/reportthatthisyearhasbeenaverysuccessfulone.

I’dliketotakethisopportunitytoannouncethewinnersofthecompetition.

Iwanttomakeaspecialannouncementatthistime.

Ifyouwouldlendmeyourearforthisshortannouncement.

CouldIhaveeveryone’sattention?

AJobWellDone

I’djustliketothankeveryonefortheirefforts/ajobwelldone/pitchingin.

IwanteveryonetoknowhowmuchIappreciateyourefforts.

Yourteamefforthasmadesuccesspossible.

You’vealldoneagreatjob.

Waytogo,team!

Congratulations

Congratulationsonyourgraduation/promotion/thebirthofyourchild.

I’dliketocongratulateyouon…

Allthebestforyourstudies/newjob/family!

We’rereallyproudofyou!

Goodshow!

Lotsofluck!

SpecialOccasions

Onelookinthegreeting-cardsectionofanygiftshopordrugstorewillshowyouthenumberofoccasionstherearetocelebrate.Whereasagreetingcardmayexpresswhatyoumeantosaymorepoeticallyandevencleverly,themostsincerewishesarethoseyoudeliveryourselfinsimple,personal,andheartfeltlanguage.

Toasts

Let’sdrink/raiseaglasstothebrideandgroom.

Here’satoasttothehappycouple/thegraduates.

Here’stoyou!

Birthdays

Wewishyouahappybirthday!

Allthebestonyourbirthday!

Bestwishesonyourbirthday!

Manyhappyreturns!

HappyBirthday!

Mayallyourwishescometrue!

WeddingsandEngagements

Congratulationsonyourengagement/wedding!

Wewishyoualongandhappymarriage/lifetogether.

Allthebestforthefuture.

Ourblessingstoyou!

Youmakealovelycouple!

Anniversaries

HappyAnniversary!

Mayyouhavemanymoreyearstogether!

GivingaPresent

Pleaseacceptthispresentasatokenofourappreciation/affection.

Here’salittlesomethingforyou.

Thisisforyou.

AcceptingaPresent

That’sverythoughtful/considerateofyou.

Youreallyshouldn’thave.

Youdidn’thaveto.

You’retoomuch!

Ican’twaittoopenit.

Howsweet!

Forme?

Vacations,Holidays,andTripsAlthoughitmaynotbenecessarytowishsomeoneagoodtriporaniceweekend,it’scommoncourtesytodoso.

WishesfortheWeekend,Holidays,andVacation

Haveagood/greatweekend/holiday/vacation.

Haveagoodtime/funonyourholiday/vacation.

Ihopeyouhaveagreatholiday/weekend/vacation.

Enjoyyourvacation.

Haveagreat/safetrip/flight/journey.

Bonvoyage!

WelcomingSomeoneBack

It’sgoodtoseeyou’reback.

Great/nice/goodtohaveyouback.

We’regladyou’reback.

Wemissedyou.

Welcomeback.

NationalHolidays

Christmas MerryChristmas/HappyChristmas/Season’sGreetings!

NewYear ’s HappyNewYear!

Easter HappyEaster!

Thanksgiving HappyThanksgiving!

General HappyHolidays!

DiningAnyonewouldagreethatacelebrationorsocialoccasioninanyculturewouldn’tbethesamewithoutfoodanddrink.

Toasts

Here’stoyourhealth.

Let’sdrinktoyourhealth.

Here’slookingatyou!

Cheers!

Bottomsup!

BeforeaMeal

Althoughyoucanusethefollowingexpressionstowishsomeoneagoodmealor“appetite”beforeameal,thereisnoauthenticexpressioninEnglish,andsoEnglishhasborrowedfromFrench.Infact,peopleinEnglish-speakingcountriesrarelysayanythingbeforeameal.Why?That’sagoodquestiontowhichthisauthorhasn’tfoundagoodanswer.

Ontheotherhand,itismorecommon,particularlyamongChristianfamiliesintheUnitedStates,tosay“grace”beforeameal;thatis,tothankGodoraskHimtoblessthefood.Whilegraceisbeingsaid,peopleatthetablebowtheirheadsinprayerandsometimesjoinhands.

Bonappétit!

Enjoyyourmeal!

Haveanicemeal/goodlunch!

ComplimentingtheHost

Thatwassome/agreatmeal!

Ireallyenjoyedthemeal!

You’reagreat/terrificcook!

Thefoodwasreallydelicious!

Youwentallout/reallyknockedyourselfout!

PersonalNotes

Undoubedtlyyouhavefamily,friends,classmates,colleagues,andacquaintanceswhomeanalottoyou,andonaneverydaybasisyoucanshowthemthatyoucarebysimplysayingsomethingkindandthoughtful.Aswithgivingpresents,it’sthethoughtthatcounts.

PassingonGreetings

Sayhello/hitoyourwife/husband/familyforme.

Givemyregards/bestwishestoyourparents.

Passonmybestwishestoyoursister.

RemembermetoLasse.

Sickness

Saying“Blessyou”aftersomeonesneezesisprobablyoneofthefirstexpressionstodowithhealththatanon-nativeEnglishspeakerlearns.

Ihopeyourecover/getbettersoon.

Takegoodcareofyourself.

Getwell/bettersoon!

FuneralsandaDeathintheFamily

I’msorryforyourloss.

Mysympathies/heartfeltcondolences.

Ourthoughts/prayersarewithyou.

Myheartgoesouttoyou.

You’llbeinourprayers.

Dialogue:HappyBirthday!

Underlineorhighlightthephrasesfromthechapter.

Andy:Okay,everybody.Hereshecomes.(Heturnsofflight.)Ella:(Sheopensthedoor.)Hey,why’sitsodarkinhere?(Sheturnsonthelight.)Together:Surprise!Surprise!Ella:What—Together:HappyBirthday,Ella!Ella:Oh,mygoodness!Maya:Manyhappyreturns!Andy:HappyBirthday,honey!Dave:Allthebest,Ella!Ella:Idon’tbelieveit!Dave:AndherecomesMayawiththebirthdaycake.(Everyonesings“HappyBirthday.”)Ella:My,youshouldn’thavegonetosuchtrouble.Andy:Well,youonlyturn40once.Ella:Iwashopingyou’dallforget.Dave:Thinkofitthisway,Ella:you’renotgettingolder,you’regettingbetter.Ella:Isn’tthatwhattheysayonhaircolorcommercials?Maya:Comeon,Ella,blowoutthecandles,anddon’tforgettomakeawish.Ella:Okay,Iwon’t.Heregoes.(Sheblowsoutthecandles.)Andy:Goodjob!Nowtimeforatoast!(Hehandsoutglassesofchampagne.)Here’stoElla!Dave:Toyourhealthandhappiness!Maya:Andtomanymorebirthdays!Ella:Cheers!(Everyonedrinks.)Ella:Wow,myfavoritechampagne!Thiscan’tgetanybetter.Andy:Waittillyouopenthis.Ella:Youdidn’t!Idon’tknowwhattosay.Andy:Don’tsayanything.Justopenit.

Ella:(Sheopenstheenvelope.)Aspacertificate!Idon’tbelieveit!Honestly,thismakesmyday.Maya:Andhere’salittlesomethingfromustogowithit.Ella:Abathrobe!Youguysaretoomuch.Thanks.(Shegiveseveryoneahugandkiss.)Andy:So,whatdoyousaywegooutfordinnerandcelebrateinstyle?Ella:Whataboutthecake?Andy:Wecansaveitforlater.Dave:So,whatarewewaitingfor?Maya:Ella,Iknowyou’renotsupposedtotell,butwhatdidyouwishfor?Ella:Tobe39again.

VocabularyNotes

PART4PhrasesforTelephoneConversations

“Thetelephoneisagoodwaytotalktopeoplewithouthavingtoofferthemadrink.”

—FranLebowitz

N

CHAPTER

TelephoneBasics

Objectivestoinitiateandendabasictelephonecall

toperformsimpletasksonthetelephone

WhenThaoandDuongTranimmigratedtoAmerica,theydreamedofstartinguptheirownVietnameserestaurant.Runningarestaurant,however,willrequirethemtoconductmuchoftheirbusinessoverthetelephone,andThaofeelssomewhatintimidatedbytheprospectofdealingwithpeopleshecannotsee.Willsheknowwhattosay?Andwhatifthepersonshe’sdealingwithdoesn’tunderstandher?Orshedoesn’tunderstandthem?Howwillshegettheservicesorsuppliessheneeds?

owthatthetelephonehasdevelopedfromrotarydialtocellularandsmartphones,withalmostasmanymobilephonesubscribersastherearepeopleonEarth,thetelephonehasbecomeindispensableto

personalaswellasbusinesscommunication.

Intermsofcontent,telephoneconversationsdonotdiffergreatlyfromface-to-faceconversations.Thereare,however,specificphrasesusedintelephonecalls,particularlyinformalbusinesssituations.Whatyousayandhowyousayitareimportantnotonlyinmakingagoodimpression,butingettingyourmessageacross.

Phrases

MakingaCallInEnglish-speakingcultures,itiscustomaryforpeopletoidentifythemselvesonthetelephonewiththeirfirstandlastnames.VeryrarelydopeoplerefertothemselvesasMr.,Mrs.,Ms.,andsoon.( SeeIntroducingYourself,page9.)

Inaformalbusinesssituation,youshouldstatebothyournameandthenameofyourcompany,organization,ordepartment.Ifyouareunknowntothepersonwhomyouarecalling,it’sagoodideatogiveyourlastnameaswell.

IdentifyingYourselfastheCaller

Goodmorning/goodafternoon,thisisMaryO’ReillyfromSummitPublishing.

Hello,mynameisStevenNugent.

Hi,it’sKim.

Ifyou’recallingforsomeoneelse,youcansay:

Hello,I’mcallingonbehalfofAdamatBrightmanSecurities.

AskingtoSpeaktoSomeone

I’dliketospeaktoMargaretBurke.

Could/mayIspeakto/withBill?

Wouldyouputmethroughtoanagent/asalesperson?

CanItalktosomeoneintheinsurancedepartment?

IsBrendain/there?

StatingtheReasonforCalling

I’mcallingabout/concerning/regarding/inregardtoaloanapplication.

ThereasonI’mcallingistoinquireaboutyourrates/makeacomplaint.

Ijustwantedtotouchbase/reachout.

CheckingtoSeeWho’sAnswering

Incaseyou’renotsureifyou’vereachedtherightperson,particularlyifthepersonontheotherendhasn’tidentifiedhim-orherself,youwillneedtoverify.Also,whenyoureceiveacall,theremaybetimeswhenyoudon’tunderstandorcatchthecaller ’sname.

To/withwhomamIspeakingagain?

AmIspeakingtoCustomerService?

IsthisJane/theFergusonresidence?

AskingforanEnglishSpeaker

I’dliketotalktoanEnglishspeaker.

IstheresomeonetherewhospeaksEnglish?

DoyouspeakEnglish?

ReceivingaCallWhenansweringthephoneinamoreformalorbusinesssituation,youshouldgiveinformationinthefollowingorder:

company,departmentorofficename,andgreeting

speaker ’sname

offertohelp

Statingthecompanyphonenumberisanother,butratheruncommon,waytoanswerthephone.Inaninformalsituation,suchasathome,youcananswersimplywith“Hello.”Somepeoplemayanswerwith“Smithresidence,”forexample,althoughthisisoutdated.

Andremember,it’salwaysagoodideatoputasmileinyourvoicethatwillmakeyousoundfriendlyandhelpfultothecaller.

GivingtheCompany,Department,orOfficeNameandGreeting

Goodmorning/goodafternoon,SummitPublishing.

Hello,CustomerService.

ThankyouforcallingBrewsterandWyman.

GivingtheSpeaker’sName

ThisisErinMaguire.

Seanspeaking.

Marjoriehere.

OfferingtoHelp

Howmay/canIdirectyourcall?

Howmay/canIhelp/assistyou?

CanIbeofassistance?

WhatcanIdoforyoutoday?

Allthreecomponentstogetherwillsoundlikethis:

Goodmorning,SummitPublishing.Erinspeaking.HowmayIdirect

yourcall?

ThankyouforcallingBrewsterandWyman.HowcanIbeofassistance?

Hello.ServiceCenter.Seanspeaking.WhatcanIdoforyou?

ConfirmingYourselfasthePersonAnsweringaCall

Whenyouanswerthephoneandthecalleraskstospeaktoyou,youcanreply:

Thisisshe/he.

Speaking.

AskingWhythePersonIsCalling

MayIaskwhatyou’recallingabout/inregardto/inreferenceto?

Whatisthenatureofyourcall?

Andwhatisthecallabout/regarding/concerning?

CheckingDetailsWhenspeakingonthephone,youmaymisunderstandormissinformationforavarietyofreasons:backgroundnoise,abadconnection,aperson’saccent,oryourownnervousness.

CheckingtoSeeWho’sCalling

MayIaskwho’scalling?

Whatwasyournameagain?

Andyourname,please?

Interrupting

Excuseme,youweresaying?

Justaminute,Idon’tthinkIgot/understood/caughtthat.

Sorry,Ididn’tcatchthat.

Ibegyourpardon.

Pardonme.

Comeagain.

ABadConnection

I’msorry,weseemtohaveabadconnection.

There’ssomethingwrongwiththisline.

Areyoustillthere/ontheline?

Hello?

AskingthePersontoRepeatDetails

I’msorrytointerrupt,butcouldyouspeakmoreslowly/repeatthat?

I’mafraidI’mhavingtroubleunderstanding.

Wouldyourepeatthatmoreslowlythistime?

Youweresaying?

ConnectingaCallAtworkorathome,thereareoccasionswhenyouwillreachsomeone—asecretary,receptionist,orrelative—otherthanthepersonwithwhomyouwanttospeak.Ifit’sasecretaryorreceptionist,thatpersonshouldautomaticallyconnectyouor“putyouthrough,”or“putyouonhold”untilthepersonisavailable.Dependingonthenatureofthecallandyoursuccess,orlackofsuccess,ingettingwhatyouwant,youcanasktobeconnectedwithsomeoneelse.

PuttingaCallThrough

Justamoment,please.I’llputyouthrough.

Justaminute.I’llconnect/transferyourcalltoCustomerCare.

Holdtheline,pleaseandI’llseeifBill’savailable/free/in.

Letmetransferyourcalltoanaccountmanager.

Holdon/hangonasec’.I’llgether.

AnnouncingaCaller

IhaveVeronicaGutierrezontheline.

IhaveacallforyoufromaThomasStraub.

BradleyJonesisaskingtospeaktoyou.

It’syourson.

PuttingaCalleronHold

I’msorry,Michel’sonanotherline.Wouldyouliketohold?

Dr.Lennon’llbeacoupleofminutes.CanIputyouonhold?

Doyoumindholding/waitingwhileIpullupyourinformation?

IsitallrightifIputyouonholdwhileIcheckyouraccount?

I’msorrytointerrupt,butcanyouholdwhileItakeanothercall?

Justhangon.

ReconnectingafterPuttingaCalleronHold

Hello,IhaveMichelonthelinenow.

Hello,I’llputyouthroughnow.

Beth,areyoustillthere?

InformationandServicesTelephonecallsarethemostcommonwaytoobtaininformationeasilyandquickly.

AskingforInformation

I’mcallingtoinquireabout/askaboutyourhoursofoperation.

I’dliketohavetheextensionforMs.Puccini’soffice.

WouldyougivemeJorge’scellphonenumber,please?

Iwaswonderingifyoucouldsendmeyourlatestcatalog.

Canyouprovidemewithanupdatedpricelist?

Ineedsomeinformationabouttravelinsurance.

Whatcanyoutellmeabouttheapartmentforrent?

TelephoneEtiquetteInbusinesssituations,itisimportanttousepoliteformallanguageonthetelephone.

( SeeDirectvs.IndirectLanguage,page202.)

Saying“Please”

Woulditbepossibletospeaktothemanager?

I’dappreciateitifyou’dputmethroughrightaway.

Ifit’snotany/toomuchtrouble/bother.

Ifyoudon’t/wouldn’tmind.

ExpressingThanks

Iappreciateit/that/yourhelp!

I’mverygratefulforyourassistance.

I’dliketothankyouforyourefforts.

Thankyouverymuch/alotforyourcall/returningmycall.

Thanksalot!

Response

Rememberthat“Please”isnotaresponseto“thankyou.”Whensomeonethanksyouforsomething,itiscustomarytoreplywith:

You’rewelcome!(morecommoninNorthAmericathaninGreatBritain)

Mypleasure/Thepleasurewasallmine!

Don’tmentionit!

Notatall!

Noproblem!

( SeeAppreciationandGratitude,page103.)

CallingaWrongNumber

Becausepeoplemoveandforgettochangetheircontactinformation,ortheypressthewrongdigitswhendialing,theycanendupreachingyoubymistake.Orforthesamereasons,youmightreachthewrongperson.

I’msorry,Imusthavethewrongnumber.

Iseemtohavethewrongnumber.

ReceivingaCalltotheWrongNumber

You’vegot/musthavethewrongnumber.

There’snooneherebythatname.

UnwantedCalls

Unlessyouhaveanunlistednumber(anumberthatdoesn’tappearinatelephonebook),therewillbetimeswhenyoureceiveannoyingcallsfromtelemarketers,polltakers,solicitorsfordonations,andscamartists.

I’msorry,butI’mnotinterested.

Pleaseremovemynumberfromyourrecords.

Don’tcallthisnumberagain.

EndingaCallInadditiontosayinggood-bye,asyouwouldafteranyordinaryconversation,youcanshowyourappreciationforthecallortheperson’sassistance.

Itwasnice/good/apleasuretalkingtoyou.

Ilookforwardtoyournextcall/totalkingtoyouagain.

Iappreciateyourcall/yourassistance/theinformation

Thankyouforcalling.IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpyouwith?

Thanksforyourcall

Good-bye

Byenow

Talktoyoulater/then

Takecarenow

Seeyou!

MakingSmallTalkWhenpeoplearebusy,youdon’twanttowastetimewithirrelevantormeaninglesschitchat.Butsometimes,startingaconversationbyaskinghowthe

personisandmakingacommentabouttheweather,arecentmeetingorbusinesstrip,asportsevent,orworkcanopenupthelinesofcommunication.Anditisalwaysthoughtfultoshowinterestinwhattheotherperson’ssaying.Someusefulphrasesare:

AskingAboutSomeone’sWell-Being,page22.

Rejoinders,page47.

ShowingInterest,page8.

Dialogue:TouchingBaseA:Goodmorning,MountainTrekking.Jodyspeaking.HowmayIdirect

yourcall?B:Hello,thisisTomSmith.I’dliketospeaktoMarciaGrant.A:Oh,I’msorry,Marcia’sonanotherline.MayIaskwhatyou’recalling

about?B:Well,Ijustwantedtotouchbase.A:Iseeherline’sstillbusy.CanIputyouonhold?B:Well,allright,ifit’snottoolong.A:Itshouldn’tbemorethanaminute.

(aminutelater)Marcia,IhaveTomSmithontheline.

C:Goahead,Jody.Puthimthrough.Hi,Tom?B:Hello,Marcia.How’sitgoing?C:Oh,thingsareprettycrazyasusualaroundhere,butIcan’tcomplain.

What’supwithyou?B:Well,I’vebeenonholidayforacoupleofweeks.C:Really?Where?B:IwasdoingsomeskiingupatWhistler.C:Whistler?Luckyyou!Ibetyouhadagreattime.B:Idid,butnowit’sbacktowork.C:SowhatcanIdoforyou?

B:Actually,ifyou’vegotsometime,Iwasjustcallingtotouchbase.It’sbeenawhile.

C:Youaren’tkidding.Timejustseemstofly.Listen,Tom,I’vegotameetinginhalfanhourtopreparefor,sowhydon’tIcallyouback?

B:Betteryet,areyoudoinganythingforlunchtomorrow?C:Asamatteroffact,I’mfree.B:Great,sohowaboutImeetyouatLasPalapas?Say,12:30.Mytreat.C:Sure,soundsgood.B:Okay,meetyouthere.C:Allright.Andthanksfortheinvitation.B:Mypleasure.Seeyouthen.C:Okay,byenow.

PracticeRespondtothefollowing:

1.Thanksforcalling.

2.I’dliketospeaktoManuela.

3.CanIputyouonhold?

4.I’msorry,Ariel’sonanotherline.

5.HowcanIdirectyourcall?

6.MayIaskwho’sspeaking?

7.Talktoyoulater.

8.I’mcallingtoinquireaboutyouryogaclasses.

9.IhaveaSusanKellermanontheline.

10.Isthis[yourname]?

VocabularyNotes

I

CHAPTER

TelephoneMessages

Objectivestakeandleavemessages

stateandconfirmimportantdetails

ntoday’sbusyworld,itcanbedifficulttoreachpeopleatyourconvenience.Therefore,yourelyonmessagestocommunicateimportantinformation.Knowingspecificphrasesandobservingbasicmessage

etiquettecanensurethatyourmessageisreceivedaswellasunderstood.

Bebriefandgettothepoint.Trytolimityourmessageto15seconds.Ifnecessary,prepareyourselfaheadofmakingthecallsothatyouknowexactlywhattosay.

Speakclearlyandslowly,especiallywhengivingimportantdetails,suchasphoneandaccountnumbers,orrepeatthemsothatthepersonreceivingyourmessagedoesn’thavetoreplayyourmessageseveraltimes.

Phrases

GivingDetailsoverthePhoneTelephonemessagescontainimportantinformationthatmustbeclearlystatedsothatthepersononthereceivingendknowsexactlywhomtocontactandhowtogetintouch.

Numbers

NorthAmericanphonenumberscontaintendigits:forexample,604-659-3773.Thefirstthreearetheareacode,withthelastsevenbelongingtoanindividualresidenceoroffice.Whenmakinganinternationalcall,youneedtoincludetheparticularcountrycode.

Companiesandorganizationshavewhatarecalled1-800,ortoll-freenumbers,thatyoucancallwithouthavingtopaylong-distancecharges.

Whengivingsomeoneaphonenumber,saythenumbersindividually(6-0-4-3-5-6-8-2-1-4)orthelastfourinpairs(6-0-4-3-5-6-82-14).

Forrepeatednumbers,like33,onecansaydouble-three(orthirty-three);for888,triple-eight.

Thenumber0isreadaszeroortheletterO.Withphonenumbers,itdoesn’tmatterwhichoneyouuse,butifyou’restatingapostalcodeconsistingofnumbersandletters,itisnecessarytodifferentiatebetweenthetwo.Forexample,V0R,isreadasV-zero-R,and1O5as1-oh-5.

Whengivinganinternationalnumber,youshouldstatethecountryandcitycodesandphonenumberinamannerthatiseasytowritedownorrecordaswellastounderstand.Forexample,49911/552916:forty-nine,nine-one-one,fifty-five,twenty-nine,sixteen.

Accountnumbersareusuallygivennumberbynumber.Inthecaseofalongaccountnumber,youshouldspeakslowlyor,ifyouaretakingdownsomeone’saccountnumber,repeateachnumberasthecallergivesit.

Addresses

Whengivingsomeoneanaddressoverthephone,youcanbreakthenumbersintogroupsofonesandtens,ratherthansayingthemasacompletenumber.

Examples:

683HollywoodCrescent:six,eighty-threeHollywoodCrescent(ratherthansix-hundred-and-eighty-three)

1142RoseStreet:eleven,forty-twoRoseStreet

426964HeywoodAvenue:suite/apartment/unitnumberfour,twenty-six,nine,sixty-fourHeywoodAvenue

Spelling

Becausesimilarsoundingorrhymingletters,suchasFandS,orDandT,canbemisunderstoodoverthephone,youcanusetheInternationalTelecommunicationsUnionStandardPhoneticAlphabetwhenyouspelloutanameorword.

Example:

Harper:HforHotel,AforAlpha,RforRomeo,PforPapa,EforEcho,RforRomeoA—AlphaB—BravoC—CharlieD—DeltaE—EchoF—FoxtrotG—GolfH—HotelI—IndiaJ—JulietK—KiloL—LimaM—MikeN—NovemberO—Oscar

P—PapaQ—QuebecR—RomeoS—SierraT—TangoU—UniformV—VictorW—WhiskyX—X-rayY—YankeeZ—Zulu

LeavingaMessageAtelephonemessageshouldinclude:

yournameandcompanyordepartment

thetimeanddateofyourcall

yourreasonforcalling

yourphonenumberandothercontactinformation,suchasane-mailaddress,andyourlocation(e.g.,ahotelroomnumber)ifyou’retraveling

AskingSomeonetoTakeaMessage

WouldyougiveSandoramessage?

WouldyouhaveOlgacall/ringmeback?

CouldyoutakeamessageforHelga?

CouldyoutellMartinethatI’llbeafewminuteslate?

PleasetellherI’mtiedupintraffic.

StatingImportance

It’surgent/ofutmostimportance.

It’sanemergencysituation.

Ineedtogetthisinformationtohimrightaway.

We’reonatightschedule.

Itcan’twait.

TakingaMessageWhenyoutakeamessageforacolleagueorfriendoverthephone,youneedtoletthecallerknowwhythepersontowhomtheywishtospeakisunavailable.Youalsoneedtoask:

whythepersontheywishtospeaktoisunavailable

whatthecall’sabout

whatspecificinformationthecallerwantstopasson

Whenthecallergivesyouanumberorspellsaname,youshouldrepeattheinformationtoassurethecallerthatyouhavetakenitdowncorrectly.

StatingUnavailability

I’msorry,butJohn’snotavailable/freeatthemoment.

I’mafraidFriedawon’tbeinuntiltomorrowmorning.

Marin’stiedup/outoftownatthemoment.

AskingtoTakeaMessage

Wouldyoulikemetogivehimamessage?

Ifyou’llgivemeyournameandnumber,I’llhavesomeonecallyouback/returnyourcall.

Can/shallItakeamessage?

IstheresomethingIcanpassontoher?

GivingAssurance

Whenyoutakeamessage,it’simportanttoletthecallerknowthathismessagewillbepassedon.Notetheuseofthefuturewith“will.”

I’llgivehimyourmessage.

I’llpassthatontoher.

I’llseetoitrightaway.

I’lllethimknowassoonashegetsback.

I’llhavehercallyouback/returnyourcallrightaway/assoonaspossible.

I’llseewhatIcando.

I’lldomybest.

Willdo.

DecliningtoLeaveaMessage

Ifyou’recallingaboutapersonalmatteroritmaybedifficultforsomeonetoreachyou,youcandeclinetoleaveamessage.

Thanks,butI’llcall/checkbacklater.

I’dprefertotryagainanothertime.

I’lltrylater.

OfferingAdditionalHelp

Doyouneedanythingelse/furtherhelp?

IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpyouwithtoday?

EnsuringCommunicationWhenwordsfailyouinaface-to-faceconversation,gesturescometotherescue.Notsoduringtelephonecalls,whereyouneedtoletthepersonontheotherendknowthatyou’relisteningandthatyouunderstandhimorher.Inthiscase,afewlittlewordscanmakeabigdifference.

Yes.

Right.

Okay.

Isee/understand.

Goon.

( Formorephrases,seeDiscourseMarkers,page30.)

AskingforClarification

Would/doyoumindrepeatingthat/goingoverthatoncemore?

Couldyouwalkmethroughthatagain?

Couldyourepeatthat,please?

Canyouconfirm/double-check/goovermydirections?

I’msorry,Ididn’tcatchyourname.

I’msorry,whatwasyournameagain?

LetmeseeifI’vegotthatright.

ConfirmingDetails

I’llrepeatyoure-mailaddresstoverifyit.

I’llreadthatbacktoyou.

LetmeseeifI’vegotthatright.

Gotit!

AskingforAdditionalContactInformation

DoesErikohaveyourcellphonenumber/e-mailaddress?

Canwereachyouatanothernumber?

HowcanJamesgetaholdofyouincasethere’sachangeinschedule?

Isthereanyoneelsewecancallifthere’saproblem?

ReturningaCallWhenyou’vereceivedamessage,thenextstepistocallbackassoonaspossible.

I’mcallinginresponsetothemessageyouleftformethismorning.

Hello,I’mfollowinguponyourmessageofJuly10that9:05.

ThisisSilviacallingback/returningyourcall.

Hello,thisisJack.Youcalled?

Hi,Igotyourmessage.

AnsweringMachines,VoiceMail,andTextMessages

Abusyscheduledoesn’talwaysallowyoutoleaveortakemessagesinperson,inwhichcasetechnologycomesinhandy.Whenyou’rerecordingamessageonaprivateansweringmachineorvoicemail,it’snotagoodideatoletstrangersknowthatyou’reawayfromhome.Thefollowingareexamplesonly.

PrivateRecordings

You’vereached248-5792.Pleaseleaveamessageafterthetone/beep.

Hello,thisisCarly.Sorry,butIcan’tmakeittothephonerightnow.PleaseleaveamessageandI’llgetbacktoyouassoonaspossible.

BusinessRecordings

Hello,thisisMarySullivan’svoicemail.PleasebeadvisedthatI’llbeoutoftheofficeuntilnextMondaymorning.Ifyouleaveamessage,I’llgetbacktoyouassoonasIcan.Thankyou.

You’vereachedthedeskofWon-HoPark.AtthemomentI’meitherbusywithacustomeroratameeting,soifyou’dleaveyourname,timeanddateofcall,yourphonenumberandashortmessage,I’llgetintouchassoonaspossible.Thanksforcallingandhaveaniceday.

TextMessages

Usuallyyourelyonsecretaries,receptionists,officecolleagues,andrelativestodelivermessages,butnowadayswirelesstechnologyhaspopularizedtheuseoftextmessages.Textinghasevolvedintoalanguageofitsownthatcanbeveryuseful,butrememberthattheseabbreviationsdonottaketheplaceofgrammaticalEnglish.

ASAP assoonaspossible

ATB allthebest

ATM atthemoment

B4N beforenow

BBS bebacksoon

BFN/B4N byefornow

BRT berightthere

CM callme

CU seeyou

DK don’tknow

FAQ frequentlyaskedquestions

FYI foryourinformation

HAND haveaniceday

IC Isee

IDK Idon’tknow

IMO inmyopinion

KIT keepintouch

L8R later

NRN noreplynecessary

PCM pleasecallme

PLMK pleaseletmeknow

SRY sorry

T2Go timetogo

T2UL talktoyoulater

THX thanks

WRT withrespectto

Dialogue:AMessageA:Goodmorning,PicturePerfectPrinting.Nikkispeaking.HowmayIdirectyourcall?

B:Goodmorning,I’dliketospeaktoJack.A:I’msorrybuthe’sinameetingwithaclientrightnow.CanItakeamessage?B:Yes,wouldyouhavehimcallMichellebackassoonaspossible?Mynumber ’s250-653-8225andhecanreachmeuntil1:30.A:Isthereanothernumberhecancallincasehegetsheldup?B:Yes,hecangetmeonmycellphone.It’s703-295-8840.A:Okay,letmereadthosenumbersbacktoyou.250-653-8225and703-295-8840.B:That’scorrect.A:AndmayIaskwhatyou’recallingabout?B:Yes,IhaveanotherprojectI’dliketodiscusswithhim.A:Okay,gotit!I’llhavehimgetbacktoyou.B:Thanks.Good-bye.A:Good-byeandthanksforcallingPicturePerfectPrinting.(later)B:Hello.C:Hello,Michelle?It’sJackfromPicturePerfectPrinting.Ijustgotyourmessage.SowhatcanIdoforyou?

PracticeUsetheinformationinthedialogueandfilloutthemessageform.

VocabularyNotes

“I

CHAPTER

TelephoneBusiness

Objectivestomakeappointments,bookings,andreservations

toplaceorders

toreportanddiscussproblems

couldlivewithouttheinternalcombustionengine,MTV,andtheCuisinart.Butnotwithoutthetelephone,”wroteMichaelLevine,Americanwriterandpublicrelationsexpert.Indeed,withoutthe

telephone,mostpeoplewouldfinditextremelydifficult,ifnotimpossibletoconducteverydaybusiness,suchassettingupappointments,reportinganaccidentoremergency,orevenorderingapizza.

Phrases

MakingAppointmentsWhetherit’sanappointmenttoseeyourdoctor,dentist,hairdresser,or

financialadvisorortosetupameeting,conference,orpresentation,youcanusethesamebasicphrasesonthetelephone.

AskingforanAppointment

Whenmakinganappointment,youneedtogivethefollowingdetails:

whattheappointmentisfor,orwhatyouneedtodo

whotheappointmentiswith,orwhoyouwanttosee

whentheappointmentisfor

I’mcallingtomake/setupanappointmentforahaircut/acheckup/aninterview.

I’dliketomakeanappointmentwithDr.Martin/aMemberServiceRepresentative.

Couldyousetupanappointmenttoseeaninsuranceagent?

IneedtomakeanappointmentfornextTuesday/threeo’clock.

When/howsooncanyougetmeinforahaircut?

IneedtoseeMarionaboutsomeurgentbusiness.

StatingtheDate

Therearetwowaystostatethedate:

Februarythesecond

thesecondofFebruary

Whengivingthedate,useordinalnumbers(first,second,third,fourth,fifth,etc.).

Remember:first,second,third,twenty-first,thirty-second,fifty-third,buttheeleventh,twelfth,andthirteenth.

StatingtheTime

Whengivingthetime,weusea.m.(ante-meridian)fortheperiodbetweenmidnightandnoon,andp.m.(postmeridian)fortheperiodbetweennoonandmidnight.Forexample,9:00a.m.isinthemorningand9:00p.m.isintheevening.Anotherwaytoavoidconfusionistosaynineinthemorningorsixintheevening.Ifyou’retalkingabouta2:00meeting,itshouldbeobviousthatyou’renotschedulingitinthemiddleofthenight.

InNorthAmerica,timeexpressionssuchas1400(fourteenhundredhours)appearonschedulesortimetables,butarealmostneverusedinconversation.

Whenmakingtranscontinentalorinternationalcalls,youneedtotaketimezonesintoaccount:forexample,6:00p.m.Easterntimeor8:00inthemorningyourtime.

( SeeTimeExpressions,page34.)

AskingfortheTimeoftheAppointment

When/whattimewouldyouliketocomein?

Whatday/timewouldworkforyou/suityou?

Whatwouldbethebest/mostconvenienttime?

WhattimeshallIputyoudownfor?

Would10:00tomorrowworkforyou?

What’sagoodtime/dayforyou?

HowaboutTuesdaymorningat8:30?

SettingaTimeastheCaller

Isanythingavailable/freeinthelateafternoon?

DoyouhaveanopeningFridaymorning?

What’stheearliestavailableopening?

Howsooncanyougetmein?

Howabout4:00?

CheckingAvailability

Letmecheck/see/takealookattheschedule.

Justasecond,I’llseewhat’savailable/free.

I’llsee/checkwhenthere’sanopening.

ConfirmingtheTimeandDate

3:00onOctoberthe27thisnotaproblem.

10:00onMondaymorningitis!

1:00soundsgood/great/fine.

That’llbe4:00onTuesday.

We’llseeyouthen.

SuggestinganAlternativeTime

I’msorry,Asha’sbookedupallmorning.MayIsuggesttheafternoon?

IcantryandgetyouintoseeJochen’sassistant,ifthatworksforyou.

Wouldyourathercomeinearly?

Howabout9:00instead?

MakingBookingsandReservationsThephrasesyouusetobookaflightormakeareservationdifferfromthoseonpage278onlyintermsofthedetails.

I’dliketobook/reserveadoubleroomfortwonights.

I’mplanningtogotoParisforeightdaysandneedtobookaflight.

DoyouhaveatableforfourforthiscomingSaturday?

TakingReservations

Whenareyoulooking/planningtofly?

Whatday/time/timeframeareyouconsidering/thinkingof?

Howmanynightsareyouplanningtostay?

AskingQuestionsAboutPricesandRates

Doyouhaveanyspecialratesordiscounts?

Howmuchisthefare/thedailyrate?

( Seepage71formorephrases.)

ChangesandCancellationsAppointmentsandreservations,justlikeyourbusylife,aresubjecttoeventsthathaveawayofupsettingyourplansandschedules.

ChanginganAppointment,Booking,orReservation

I’dliketochangemyappointmentwithHelenfrom3:00to4:00,ifthat’spossible.

Couldyoumovemyappointmenttonextweek?

I’msorry,butIwon’tbeabletomakeittomyappointmentwithJames.Couldyougivemeanothertime?

Ineedtochangemyreservationfortomorrow.

CancelinganAppointment,Booking,orReservation

I’msorry,butI’mafraidIhavetocancel/postpone/calloffmy3:00

appointment.

UnfortunatelyIwon’tbeabletomakeittomyappointmentwithEinar.

Sorry,butIcan’tkeepmydentalappointment.

OrdersandServicesNowadaysmanyproductsandservicesareavailableonline.Nevertheless,youmaychoosetoplaceordersmoredirectlyandpersonallyoverthetelephone.

OrderingFood

Orderingfromarestaurantthatofferstakeoutserviceisfairlyuncomplicated.Foradditionalconvenience,youcanevenfindagoodselectionofmenusinthephonebook,andunlessyouprefertopickupyourorder,mostplacesdeliverforasmallfee,orforfreeifyouplaceanorderthatexceedstheminimum.Ifyouliveinanapartment,youmayneedtogiveyourbuzzercodetothepersontakingtheordersothedeliverypersoncanenterthebuilding.

I’dliketoorderalargepizzasupremefordelivery.

CouldIhave/getafamily-sizeorderoffriedchickenforpickup?

AskingAboutDetails

Doyoudeliver?

Isthereaminimumorderfordelivery?

Howmuchdoyouchargefordelivery/extrasalami?

Howlongwillittaketogethere?

WhattimecanIexpectdelivery?

Whatareyourdailyspecials?

Whichdishesaregluten-free/lactose-free/vegetarian/vegan?

TakinganOrderforFood

Willthatbepickupordelivery?

Wouldyoulikeanysidedishes/extrasauces/beveragestogowithyourorder?

Whattimewouldyoulikethattobeready?

We’llhavethatreadyinabouttwentyminutes.

OrderingProductsandServices

I’dliketoorderaproduct/toreservetickets/tocancelasubscription.

CouldIputinanorderforaproduct/reserveseatsonaflight?

Woulditbepossibletoopen/setup/applyforanaccount?

ArrangingUtilityServices

I’dliketohavemyphone/cable/Internethookedup/suspended/disconnected.

Wouldyouseethatmyphone/cable/Internetishookedupasofthefirstofthemonth?

Ineedtelephone/cableserviceatmynewaddress.

ArrangingTransportation

Couldyousendataxito54RiverRoad?

Ineedataxi/ashuttletotheairporttomorrowmorningat6:30.

I’mregisteredatyourhotelandneedaride/apickup.

PleasehaveataxipickmeupattheFourSeasonsHotel.

DiscussingaProblem

Whendiscussingaproblemonthephone,it’simportanttoprovidebackgroundinformation:

youraccountnumber,ifyouhaveone

themodelandserialnumber,ifyou’rehavingproblemswithaparticularmachine

howyoufirstcontactedthecompanyorperson

thelasttimeyouspokeorwereincontact

StatingtheProblem

Iwaswonderingifyoucouldexplainthechargesonmybankstatement.

Itappearsthatmysubscriptiontoyourmagazinehasbeenrenewedbymistake.

Ihaveaquestionaboutthismonth’screditcardstatement.

There’saproblemwithmyInternetservice.

We’vebeenhavingsomeissueswithourcopymachines.

Can’tyoudosomethingabouttheongoingnoise?

DrawingAttentiontoaProblem

Ifyou’renotgettingahelpfulresponsetoacomplaint,youmightneedtousestrongerlanguagetomakethepersonyou’redealingwithpayattention.

Here’sthething:theshippingdelayisholdingupproduction.

It’slikethis:weneedthepartsurgently.

Listenhere:thisisjustnotacceptable.

Waitaminute,that’snotwhatIsaid.

Now,Ihaveanimportantquestion.

AskingforAssistance

HowdoIgoaboutrenewing/suspending/cancelingmycablesubscription?

CouldyouexplainhowIcanapplyforacreditcard?

Youwouldn’thappentoknowwhere/howIcantakeoutamembership?

ReportinganUrgentProblem

Ineedtoreportastolencreditcard/anaccident/abreak-in.

Cansomeonehelpmerightaway?

Thisisanemergency!

DealingwithaProblem

Whatseemstobetheproblem/trouble?

WhatcanIdotohelp?

HowcanIassist/helpyou?

ShowingUnderstandingandSympathy

Iunderstandwhereyou’recomingfrom.

Iseetheproblem/issue.

Iknowwhatyoumean.

That’sunfortunate/toobad.

( Seepage96formorephrases.)

PromisingAction

I’llseethat’stakencareofassoonaspossible.

I’llgetonthat/followuponthatrightaway.

Don’tworry,I’lldealwithit.

I’lldomybest.

I’monit!

EncouragingFurtherContact

Welookforwardtodoingbusinesswithyouagain.

Don’thesitatetocall/reachoutifyouneedanythingelse.

We’rehappytobeofservice.

Callanytime.

InConclusionBecausethecontentofatelephoneconversationdoesnotdiffergreatlyfromaregularface-to-faceconversation,youcanusemanyofthephrasesinParts1and2.Particularlyhelpfulphrasesare:

StayinginTouch,page13.

MakingOffers,page51.

AdviceandAssistance,page97.

Complaints,page105.

OptionsandAlternatives,page119.

ReasonsandPurpose,page120.

AdvantagesandDisadvantages,page122.

SettingSchedulesandDeadlines,page130.

GoalsandPlans,page131.

SolutionsandRecommendations,page164.

ClarificationandExplanations,page183.

Misunderstandings,page185.

DialogueA:Goodafternoon.CommunityClinic.Renéespeaking.HowcanIhelp

you?B:Hello,thisisWillJameson.I’mcallingtomakeanappointmenttoseeDr.

Winter.It’saboutacheckup.A:Allright,whatdaywouldyouliketocomein?B:TuesdayorWednesdaywouldbegood,andI’dpreferlateafternoonif

youhaveanopening.A:Letmesee.Wednesday’sprettyfull.Howdoes3:30onTuesdaysuityou?B:Yes,3:30worksforme.A:Allright,I’llputyoudown.Andthenamewas?B:WillJameson.A:Anditwasforacheckup,yousaid?B:That’sright.A:Okaythen,Will.We’llseeyouonTuesdayat3:30.B:Thanksalot!A:Noproblem.IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpyouwith?B:No,thanks.That’llbeit.Good-byenow.A:Good-bye.

TopicsforPracticeWhatphraseswouldyouuseto:

1.bookaflighttoNewYork;

2.orderasubscriptiontoalocalnewspaper;

3.cancelahotelreservation;

4.checkyouravailabilityforameeting;

5.makeanappointmentforahaircut;

6.callforataxi;

7.confirmanappointment;

8.suggestanalternativetimeforanappointment;

9.askaboutacarrentalagency’sweeklyrate;

10.changeyourappointmenttonextweek?

VocabularyNotes

D

AbouttheAuthor

ianeEngelhardtholdsbachelordegreesinEducation(Secondary)andEnglishLiterature(Honors).ShebeganteachingEnglishasaSecondLanguageatBerlitzSchoolofLanguagesinNuremberg,Germany.

Overherlongcareershehastaughtconversational,businessandacademicEnglishinGermanyandCanada.